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Sep072006
Vande Mataram
Our national song is in the news once again, albeit for all the wrong reasons. It is sad and ironic that the song, penned by Bankim Chandra Chaterjee more a century back, which once unified the entire nation is now proving so divisive.
Vande mataram is an ode to our motherland. Surely singing such a song cannot be akin to insulting God! Apparently it is, according to the All India Sunni Ulema board; singing the national song is not a touchstone of patriotism. Besides, making it obligatory to sing in schools might hurt the sentiments of many people. However I would urge my Muslim brothers and sisters to think independently for themselves. I am sure the views of the Sunni Ulema board do not represent the views of the entire Muslim population of India.
In a country where temples and mosques get more political mileage than the suicides of farmers, it is no wonder that the centenary celebration of our national song has taken a backseat. While singing or not singing the song is purely an individual’s choice, I do hope that this beautiful song, which reminds us of our freedom struggle does not become a pawn in this game of political upmanship, like so many things in our country already have.
The views expressed in this post are those of the writer and are not necessarily endorsed by Mutiny.in
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Vishal
001
2:59 pm
Frankly i’m not sure whats is the debate about. What confuses me what is first to consider or what is apporpriate. Is it religion or is it yr motherland. Someone has to explain me the whole fuss.
On the other aspect of this debate Can india afford debates like that when our resources and energy is needed in othewer areas badly.
Vishal
Woke
002
4:12 pm
‘Vande Mataram’ has references to ‘worshipping’ of Mother India. According to Islam, worhipping anyone or anything apart from God is not permitted - whether it is his country, parents or friends.
Forcing someone to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ is idiotic and against the very spirit of democracy. There is much more than you can do to show your love for your country than singing ‘Vande Mataram’.
refugeenot4u
003
10:10 pm
@woke.I completely agree with u but i have seen children from Muslim families recite hymns from the Bible in convent schools.Its not going to make them less of a muslim for sure.Then why should singing the national song be so offensive to them.I just don’t like this hypocrisy.
Indohstani
004
12:30 am
Care for another viewpoint? http://indohstani.blogspot.com/
chacko
005
1:45 pm
Indohstani, we are always open for view points but would prefer it if you stated it here rather than just a link.
Woke
006
11:27 am
So are you upset that muslims are reciting Bible hymnns or they are not reciting vande mataram. I had mentioned earlier they are not against the ‘national song’ but something very very specific.
If they consider it offensive let them not recite it unless and until they are not demonstrating against the national song, whats your problem with it?
chacko
007
11:40 am
As a product of convent education I can tell you that there are no ‘bible hymnns’ in Christian schools. There are songs that relate to God in general like ‘Make me a channel of your peace…’ and ‘God’s love, it’s so wonderful…’
Unless you are someone who doesn’t believe in the concept of God, I don’t think there is an issue with singing about God.
And just like the Vande Mataram, it is not compulsory to sing it. You can just stand there and keep silent.
refugeenot4u
008
3:29 pm
I dont have a problem with god at all.Infact i am a gr8 believer in god.my problem is why should we let our so called religious leaders dictate terms to us.Each individual should think for himself.And its all about respect.if u dont want to sing it ,dont sing but why create such a big controversy about the whole thing.
Woke
009
10:26 am
‘…why create such a big controversy about the whole thing.”
Exactly, thats why I think this Sunni Board and the BJP/Shiv Sena should both shut up and get on with their business.
But then this is their business, isnt it?
Amlan Jyoti Patra
010
11:52 pm
“Vande Mataram” is more about your country than God. Literally, the song means “I bow to thee, Mother”, and it highlights your motherland in the form of your dear mother, for whom, any worthy son/daughter would not hesitate to scarifice his/her life.
Historically, “Vande Mataram” was the clarion call for the countless patriots who smilingly laid down their lives so that we could one day be a sovereign, democratic republic.
Hence those who cite religion as the reason for not saying “Vande Mataram”, don’t have any respect for their mother and their country, for I don’t think that anything, not even your religion, should come in the way of showing respect to your mother and to your country.
If saying the words in Sanskrit hurts you people, then let me remind you that no religion has prohibited us from using any particular language
Ali
011
10:29 am
Those who think singing Vande Mataram is against islam are idiots and are mentally living in middle ages.
Vande mataram is national song and not a hindu song.
Idiots like sunni ulema board should stop spreading hatred against the nation and find work which would help the nation.
If they have nothing better to do they should keep their idiotic fatwas to themselves.