Bareilly Madrasas Give The National Anthem A Miss, Alleging It Was Composed For George V

Bareilly’s Barelvi madrasas today (15 August) gave the national anthem a miss as authorities alleged it was written in praise of George V, the then king of England, but sang Sare jahan se achha, a patriotic song in Urdu by poet Muhammad Iqbal.

Around 500 students of the Manzar-e-Islam, the biggest Barelvi madrasa in the city, hoisted the tricolor in the presence of teachers, but skipped the anthem in open defiance of Uttar Pradesh government’s directive that it is mandatory to sing the anthem at all Islamic educational institutions across the state on the occasion of Independence Day.

The madrasa authorities hushed up the one-hour event by not videographing the occasion, as directed by the government, and by also not allowing media coverage.

“Traditionally, we do not sing the national anthem during Independence Day or Republic Day celebrations. We only followed convention this time,” a senior cleric told the Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity.

The decision to defy the government order was taken by senior cleric Asjad Miyan, a direct descendant of 20th century Islamic religious leader Ahmed Raza Barelvi. Barelvi clerics justified their decision to forbid singing of the national anthem at the madrasas under their jurisdiction alleging it was written in praise of George V.

“Singing of the national anthem belittles the struggle of our freedom fighters. Thereby, it has been unanimously decided that such songs will not be sung on Independence Day,” they said.

A few government-funded Barelvi madrasas in the city, however, followed the government order.