MA Convent, a private school in the Sadiabad district of Allahabad, has banned the playing and singing of the national anthem ‘Jan Gan Man’ and the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ after “objections from Muslim parents”, The Indian Express reported earlier on Sunday. The order was passed by Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, the manager of the school which is located in a Muslim-dominated locality.
[The] national anthem has a line “Bharat bhagya vidhata” which is against Islam as Allah is our bhagya vidhata. How can we say Bharat has made our destiny? In the national anthem, the country has been described as being bigger and more important than ‘mazhab’ (religion) and ‘khuda’ (god) which would be unacceptable to any true Muslim.Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, Manager, MA Convent School, Allahabad
The Backlash
Seven teachers and the principal have left the school following the order, terming Haq’s rationale behind it as “stupid, religious reasons”.
National anthem had never been sung on the school campus, and could not be allowed as it was “un-Islamic”. I run a school and have to abide the parents. Teachers left the job as they had some other issues with the management.Mohammad Zia-ul Haq, speaking to The Indian Express
The school has 330 students; while 200 are Hindus, 130 students are Muslim.
The principal of the school plans to pursue action against Haq, finding his stance on the issue ‘anti-national’, an argument which holds much weight in today’s political scenario. The District Manager has also promised strict action against the school.
BJP, too, sought out this highly-flammable incident to slither into political limelight by blaming the ruling Samajwadi Party for its “design to communalise the state” and demanding a probe into the matter. More in their list of demands is action against the school management and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for allegedly supporting the school and promoting vote-bank politics.
It is shameful that such a thing has been happening in the school for the last 12 years. A senior UP minister has ensured that no action is taken against the management. The SP government is giving protection not only to criminals and rapists but also to those who insult the nation and are anti-nationals.Shrikant Sharma, BJP’s National Secretary
(Source: The Indian Express, PTI)
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