‘Muslims can’t regard country as deity’: Islamic body objects to Vande Mataram Bill

NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Private Legislation Board (AIMPLB) on Friday strongly criticised Parliament’s passage of a Invoice that makes alleged disrespect to Vande Mataram a punishable offence, calling it an assault on non secular and constitutional freedoms and urging the federal government to not impose patriotic expressions via authorized compulsion.In a press launch issued on 31 July, the Muslim physique stated the laws was opposite to the constitutional, secular and democratic ethos of the nation and amounted to a severe assault on the non secular freedom of residents. It argued that compelling participation in a tune or slogan carrying non secular connotations violated basic rights assured underneath the Structure.The Board’s spokesperson, Dr SQR Ilyas, stated that making Vande Mataram legally obligatory for all communities was incompatible with each constitutional ideas and Islamic perception.“Any try and make Vande Mataram obligatory for all sections and spiritual communities via authorized coercion is just not solely objectionable but additionally opposite to the elemental ideas of the Structure,” he stated.The AIMPLB stated that through the framing of the Structure, the Constituent Meeting accepted solely the primary two stanzas of Vande Mataram on the nationwide stage, whereas the non secular connotations of the remaining parts weren’t thought-about suitable with India’s secular character.Dr Ilyas argued that sure passages of the tune depict the motherland within the type of a goddess and exhort individuals to worship her, which he stated was opposite to the Islamic doctrine of Tawheed, or absolutely the Oneness of God.“Due to this fact, compelling a Muslim to take part in a tune, slogan or apply carrying a non secular that means opposite to his or her religion is wholly unacceptable,” he stated.The Board additionally cited Articles 25 and 19 of the Structure, saying they defend the liberty of faith and freedom of expression, together with the correct to not take part in expressions that battle with a person’s conscience.“These constitutional safeguards clearly indicate that no citizen will be compelled to undertake or take part in any tune, slogan, ideology or image in opposition to his or her non secular beliefs and conscience,” the assertion stated.Referring to the Supreme Court docket’s landmark judgment in Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala, Dr Ilyas stated the court docket had upheld this precept even within the context of the nationwide anthem.“The Court docket held that an individual couldn’t be punished merely for not collaborating in an act when doing so was opposite to his or her non secular beliefs. The Court docket additionally made it clear that, in sure circumstances, freedom of expression consists of the correct to stay silent, and that respectful non-participation can’t be thought to be disrespect.”The AIMPLB sought to tell apart between patriotism and spiritual devotion, saying that love for one’s nation shouldn’t be equated with worship.“Love for the motherland and worship of the motherland are two totally totally different ideas. Muslims deeply love their nation and contemplate love for the homeland a part of their civic and ethical accountability, however they can’t regard the nation as a deity or goddess.”The Board added that patriotism needs to be judged by a citizen’s dedication to the Structure, the nation’s individuals and their rights quite than by the recitation of a selected slogan or tune.It additionally urged the federal government to prioritise points akin to unemployment, inflation, poverty, schooling, healthcare, financial inequality and social injustice as a substitute of pursuing what it described as delicate and divisive measures.“Diverting public consideration from basic points by inflaming emotional and spiritual controversies serves neither the nationwide curiosity nor the reason for democracy.”Concluding its assertion, the AIMPLB stated that India’s unity may solely be strengthened by defending constitutional supremacy, non secular freedom and equal rights for all residents.

“A robust and united India can solely be constructed the place each citizen enjoys equal dignity, justice and freedom; the place anybody’s patriotism is just not judged via the prism of his or her non secular beliefs; and the place the supremacy of the Structure, non secular freedom and basic civil rights are protected in any respect prices.”The Vande Matram Invoice, handed by each Homes of Parliament on Friday, seeks to make alleged disrespect to Vande Mataram a punishable offence and offers authorized backing to its obligatory observance in specified contexts. Supporters have described the measure as a technique to promote nationwide unity and respect for a nationwide image, whereas critics argue that it may compel residents to take part in patriotic expressions no matter their non secular beliefs or freedom of conscience, elevating issues over constitutional rights and spiritual freedom.