Scuffle Erupts as Muslim Teacher Refuses to Say ‘Vande Mataram’

The video of the incident has apparently gone viral on social media after which Hussain too stated that he had not said ‘Vande Mataram’ because it is considered against his religious belief.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

A scuffle broke out between a teacher, who identifies himself as Afzal Hussain, and locals at a primary school in Abdullahpur on Wednesday, 6 February, after the former allegedly refused to say 'Vande Mataram' after flag-hoisting on Republic Day, reported ANI.

According to ANI, the video of the incident has apparently gone viral on social media after which Hussain too stated that he had not said ‘Vande Mataram’ because it is considered against his religious belief.

"We believe in Allah and Vande Mataram is against our belief. The term means ‘Vandana of Bharat Mata’ which is not what we believe in. Nowhere in the Constitution is it written that saying ‘Vande Mataram’ is necessary. I could have lost my life,” ANI reported, quoting Hussain.

However, District Education Officer Dinesh Chandra Dev has not received any complaint regarding the incident.

“Had we got any such information, an investigation would have been done. But till now, we have not got any such complaint,” he said.

Talking to ANI, Bihar Education Minister KN Prasad said that necessary action will be taken if it is confirmed that such an incident took place. “An insult to the National song is not forgivable at all,” Prasad said, reported ANI.