Calcutta High Court Suggests Singing Vande Mataram in Madrasas Won’t Cause Uproar

The Calcutta High Court made a notable observation on Tuesday regarding the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, in madrasas, suggesting that it would not lead to any major uproar. The remarks came during a hearing concerning a public interest litigation that challenged a notification from the West Bengal government. This notification mandated the singing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram in madrasas under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.

The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, expressed that “heavens will not fall” if the song is sung in madrasas. The court was addressing concerns raised by the petitioner, who contended that the imposition of this requirement infringed upon the religious rights of students in these educational institutions. The government, under the newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has directed all types of madrasas—government-run, aided, and unaided—to include the patriotic song in their routines.

Justice Chakraborty further engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue, questioning the implications of being asked to recite something outside one’s religious beliefs. He posed a hypothetical scenario regarding how one might react if asked to quote something contrary to their faith. The court also reflected on the practices within educational institutions run by various religious communities, highlighting that many Christian schools require all students to participate in prayers, irrespective of their personal beliefs. This comparison aimed to illustrate that such practices are not uncommon and are part of a broader educational environment.

The petitioner’s counsel argued against the mandatory singing of Vande Mataram, claiming that the national anthem holds a higher status than the national song, thus making it inappropriate to impose the latter on students in madrasas. This argument raises a significant debate about patriotism, identity, and the role of educational institutions in fostering national unity versus respecting individual beliefs.

As this case unfolds, it echoes larger conversations in Indian society about the integration of cultural and national symbols into various community practices. The court’s observations may pave the way for a more nuanced discussion on how to balance national identity with religious diversity in India’s pluralistic society.

Source: scroll.in