Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal praised West Bengal’s decision to enforce the singing of “Vande Mataram” in madrasas across the state. The West Bengal Directorate of Madrasah Education mandated the national song during Assembly prayers in all government, aided, and recognized madrasahs. This move follows a recent directive making the recital of “Vande Mataram” compulsory in state-run schools.
Khandelwal emphasized the significance of “Vande Mataram” as a symbol of India’s pride and independence. He welcomed the state government’s decision, highlighting the song’s importance in every institution. In contrast, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, National President of All India Muslim Jamaat, viewed the issue through a political lens rather than a religious one.
Razvi Barelvi expressed concerns over the imposition of “Vande Mataram” in madrasas, suggesting that individuals should have the freedom to choose whether to recite it. Bengal Minister Khudiram Tudu clarified that the requirement to sing the national song in recognized madrasahs aligns with the practice in state-run schools. The minister questioned why the same standard should not apply to madrasahs if it does in schools using the Santali language.
