Denying reports being circulated in a section of the electronic media that the national anthem was sung for the first time in Darul Uloom in Deoband during the Independence Day celebrations this year, media in-charge Ashraf Usmani said the seminary had been celebrating the national festival since Independence.
“It was just that this year the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police and other district officials participated in the festivities,” Mr. Usmani told The Hindu .
Campus inspection
Recently, the district administration conducted an inspection in Darul Uloom to check whether a helipad was being constructed on the rooftop of its library.
“It is true we are a conservative educational body but that doesn’t mean that we are not patriotic. We celebrate August 15 and January 26 within our premises and the national anthem is always sung. In fact, apart from Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Zuha, the institution remains closed only on national festivals. However, the current atmosphere demands us to show proof of our contribution to nation-building. So be it. Ironically, those who are doing it refused to stand under the Tricolor for decades,” added Mr. Usmani.
Some Deoband ulemas such as Qari Ishaq have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in his Independence Day speech where he said planning a small family was also patriotism provided it was not directed towards one particular religion.
“Darul Uloom is yet to take a formal stand on this,” Mr. Usmani said.
In the programme, DM Alok Kumar Pandey hoisted the national flag in the presence of Maulana Arshad Madani and Saharanpur MP Haji Fazlur Rahman. In his speech, Mr. Madani, who is the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, traced the contribution of Darul Uloom in the Freedom Movement. “The country can progress only when Hindus and Muslims work together,” he said. “We fought the British together, but how we fight this false propaganda that is being created to create a rift between the two communities. How can one fight one’s brother,” rued Mr. Usmani.
On fatwas being issued to madrasas to celebrate Independence Day, Mr. Usmani clarified fatwas were issued only on religious matters and requested media organisations to refrain from carrying such reports.
