The Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the registration of a madrasa in Maharajganj district after the students of the institution were allegedly stopped by a cleric from singing the national anthem on Independence Day.
Sedition charges
Maulana Junaid Ansari, who allegedly prevented the pupils from singing the national anthem during an Independence Day function, was arrested on charges of sedition and disrespect to the national anthem, along with two others.
The State government had ordered a probe by the district administration after a video went viral showing the cleric opposing the singing of the national anthem during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Arabia Ahle Sunnat Anware Taiba Girls' College madrasa in Koluhi.
In the video, the cleric is seen asking the students to refrain from singing the national anthem arguing that it is not “ jayaz ” (permissible) in Islam. He is then seen offering to sing Sare jahan se acha , even as a teacher is heard protesting the cleric’s comments.
The national anthem was reportedly later sung but not before the clip triggered outrage on social media.
U.P. Muslim Waqf and Haj Minister Mohsin Raza on Tuesday said that opposing the national anthem was an “anti-national act”.
“Anyone opposing the national anthem will have to go to jail, be it a maulvi or pandit. There will be no compromise,” Mr. Raza told The Hindu . The Minister said that the government had last year issued directions to all madrasas clearly stating the programmes to be held on August 15.
“What kind of message are you sending to children by asking them to stop singing the national anthem? Is this what your religion teaches you,” Mr. Raza asked, targeting the cleric.
Published - August 22, 2018 01:47 am IST
