Clerics: Why Independence Day order only for Uttar Pradesh madrasas?

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government order directing all madarsas in the state to celebrate Independence Day and record the proceedings have evoked mixed reactions from the minority community.

The state government order also told the heads of the madarsas to hoist the national flag and lead their students in singing the national anthem at 8am on Independence Day.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli said on Sunday that the ‘unusual’ order is directed only at madarasas.

 “If you have issued the same order and directives for all the schools, colleges and educational institutes, then we have no objection. If it is only for madarsas, then it seems to be an unusual order. It seems that our patriotism is under suspicion”, he said.

He said Muslims have been celebrating Independence Day since 1947 in madarasas by hoisting the national flag and singing the national anthem.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas, a spokesperson of All India Shia Personal Law Board, said though it is alright for clerics to shoot video of Independence Day celebrations at madarasas, the government’s order should apply to all educational institutions.

“There should be no objection in getting the Independence Day events photographed or video-graphed. This will enhance transparency and trust. However, we feel that this directive should be for all educational institutions of other religions also. Madarasas had participated in the freedom struggle”, he said.

The order issued by UP minority welfare minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary told clerics to ensure their students participate in cultural programmes based on the theme of national unity on August 15.

The minister of state in the same ministry, Baldev Singh Aulakh has even warned of action against clerics if they do not record qcvideo of Independence Day celebrations at madarasas, adding that government officials will check the religious schools randomly.