UP madrasas ordered to recite national anthem on I-Day

Lucknow: In a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Shiksha Parishad on Friday directed all the affiliated madrasas to unfurl national flag and recite national anthem on the 70^th Independence Day i.e. August 15.

The board has also asked the madrasas to do the videography of the entire programme.

The Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Shiksha Parishad, the state government body which governs madrassas, issued the letter, with a copy to all district minority welfare officials for compliance.

According to the schedule for Independence Day, the flag hoisting will be done at 8 am, followed by the singing of the national anthem after which tributes will be paid to freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of the country.

Other than this, patriotic songs will be sung and cultural, sports events will also be held.

Photography and videography of these events has been made mandatory so that the compliance is monitored by the state, the letter said.

The directives have been issued by the registrar of the Parishad, Rahul Gupta.

Gupta, while confirming the letter, said that the communique was routine and that politics should not be seen in the move.

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Eminent cleric and Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah, Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali has however questioned the move and said that since 1947, 'jashn-e-azadi' has been celebrated in the madrasas always "so why this sudden missive". He said the registrar of the council will have to explain whether this has been issued for only madrassas or to all government schools and whether they would also be videographed.

Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mohsin Raza has called the move a "welcome step" and said the state government was working with the motive of "sabka saath, sabka vikas".

State education officials, however, said that no such instructions have been issued for government-run schools in the state.

Here is the copy of official letter: