Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The Vande Mataram row

The article "A souvenir, not an emblem" (Sept. 6) was informative and thought provoking. The nation's claim of being democratic will stand eroded if coercion is used to make Muslims sing Vande Mataram. Singing the national song alone will not instil a sense of patriotism. The whole issue is pointless.

Siddarth K. Raj,
New Delhi

I cannot understand how a person's patriotism can be measured by his readiness to worship the nation. Muslims do not worship even their parents. Does it mean they love their parents any lesser than their Hindu brethren do?

Quazi Mohammad Saad,
Ramanagaram, Karnataka

Forcing the religious minorities who do not agree with the contents of the song to sing defeats the whole idea of India as a secular state. In future, governments should handle such sensitive matters with utmost caution.

Suvaid Yaseen,

New Delhi

There was no need for the Centre to first say Vande Mataram should be sung on September 7. Having said so, there was no need to make its singing optional. The way the issue has snowballed testifies to the clumsy manner in which it has been handled.

A.P. Govindankutty,
Cheruthuruthy, Kerala

I am sure a vast majority of Indians understand that Muslims are not allowed to prostrate even before the Prophet. Deification of the country is tantamount to violating the basic tenets of Islam. It would be unfortunate if some sections seek to certify the Indianness of a Muslim on the basis of his or her willingness to sing Vande Mataram.

Sayeed Ahmed,
Bangalore

Patriotism has to come from within; it cannot be forced. During the 1960s and 1970s, there was an order that the national anthem should be played after every show in cinemas. But very few used to stay back. The result of the move was contrary to what was desired. The order had to be withdrawn.

Capt. O.B. Nair,
Poonithura, Kerala

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee would surely not have foreseen such a situation when he composed the poem. While the BJP stand on the issue is not encouraging, the Congress' stand is deplorable. It was the duty of the Congress-led UPA Government to say that Vande Mataram is a song for all Indians and not for or against any religion.

C.P. Velayudhan Nair,
Kochi, Kerala

Vande Mataram played a major role in uniting Hindus and Muslims in their struggle against the British rule. Singing it is akin to paying respects to one's mother. This is an opportunity to sink years of differences. It is hoped that the controversy will end soon.

J. Dorai Raj,
Chennai

The first two stanzas of the song have been aired on AIR for years. In the recent past, A.R. Rahman composed a different tune for it. Many schools and colleges perform the number on their annual day. Why then make an issue of Vande Mataram by giving it a political colour?

Lt. Col. R.V.S. Mani (retd.),
Madurai, T.N.

Some sections of the Muslim clergy have unnecessarily given a religious colour to the issue. If someone says we must respect our parents, it does not mean we should not respect others. Orders and appeals such as "don't send your children to schools" give an opportunity to communal forces to point fingers at the community.

Shaik Bazi,
Noida, U.P.

The Ghadar movement in the early 20th century was one of the most secular, egalitarian freedom movements. Its leaders, Lala Har Dayal and Mohammad Barkatullah, were instrumental in popularising Vande Mataram. Our leaders should derive some inspiration from them and stop issuing diktats on whether or not to sing Vande Mataram.

Kunal Aggarwal,
Patiala, Punjab

Vande Mataram was accepted as the national song not because of its literal meaning but because of the momentous purpose it served in mobilising the people of India during the freedom struggle. To dissect it, disparage it, and attempt to prove its lack of relevance now is an insult to the song. As for those harping on patriotism, we are aware of their tendency to politicise every other issue by attacking the sentiments of some and appealing to those of some others. Their only aim is to reap publicity and consolidate their vote bank.

M. Priyadarshini,
New Delhi

The underlying spirit of the song should be explained to the present generation. At the same time, it should be left to the individual's choice to sing or not since ours is a country where pluralistic cultures and religions are deep-rooted.

Jonathan Rachaprolu,
Nuzvid, A.P.

Politicians and religious leaders should keep away from such issues. Today, it is Muslim leaders objecting to Vande Mataram. Tomorrow, Hindu fanatics may object to the rendition of Sare Jahan Se Achcha because it was written by a Muslim. Vested interests will do well to refrain from poisoning young minds.

P. Venkatesh,
New Delhi

Musicians such as Bismillah Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, and Sheikh Chinna Moulana have had no qualms about rendering numerous compositions in praise of Hindu deities. The shehnai maestro even proclaimed that he was a devotee of Lord Vishwanath. Vande Mataram became popular among the young only after A.R. Rahman brought out an album. It is, therefore, quite surprising that a section of Muslims feel that singing the song will violate the tenets of their religion.

K.N. Ramani,
Coimbatore

Muslims in India object to singing Vande Mataram because they claim Islam does not permit singing the praise of anyone or anything other than god. But the citizens of Bangladesh, an Islamic nation, have been singing Amar Shonar Bangla composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1906 since Dhaka adopted it as the national anthem in 1972. The song equates the country to mother and calls it `ma.'

H.K. Borah,
Guwahati

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