Question:
Why do Muslims refuse to sing the national anthem or the song Vande Mataram?
Answer:
First, Muslims have not refused to sing the national anthem. The national anthem of India is “Jana Gana Mana.” There is nothing in its wording that conflicts with Islamic beliefs. Muslims have never declared that they will not sing the national anthem.
The discussion usually concerns the song “Vande Mataram.” The meaning of Vande Mataram is “I bow to the mother,” referring to the land itself as a divine mother. Some people object to that because it involves bowing or worshipping the land, which conflicts with Islamic belief that worship should be directed only to God.
It is also important to note that singing Vande Mataram is not legally mandatory according to the Constitution. Furthermore, if one reads the full lyrics of the song, some parts contain references to religious imagery and goddess worship that may not align with the beliefs of all communities. Because of that, some Muslims choose not to sing it.
However, the national anthem itself — “Jana Gana Mana” — is not rejected by Muslims. In fact, before this anthem was adopted, another patriotic song written by Muhammad Iqbal, “Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara,” was widely sung. Later, Rabindranath Tagore’s composition became the official anthem.
Even though the anthem contains references to regions that historically included territories now outside India, people still sing it because it has been officially adopted as the national anthem. Muslims do not object to singing it.