Vande Mataram mandate in J&K schools sparks row, Muslim body terms order un-Islamic

The MMU is an umbrella body of different Muslim religious organisations in J&K. It expressed serious concern over a recent government directive on 'Vande Mataram' recitation in schools, terming it a "coercive directive" by the Department of Culture of the Union Territory aimed to celebrate the 150th year of the national song through music and cultural programs.

The MMU argued that the official order is coercive since it legally forces both Muslim students and institutions to act against their religious principles.

"The MMU, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expresses serious concern over the recent directive issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government's Department of Culture instructing schools across the region to commemorate the 150th year of Vande Mataram through organised musical and cultural programs ensuring participation of all students and staff," the amalgam said in a statement in Srinagar.

The MMU asserted that 'Vande Mataram' cannot be recited or sung by Muslims.

According to the circular issued by the Centre, schools across different states were directed to hold special assemblies between October 31 and November 7, 2025 during which the students and teachers will sing the national song. However, voices of objection to the government order has come from Jammu and Kashmir.

"Singing or reciting Vande Mataram is un-Islamic as it contains expressions of devotion, which essentially militate against the fundamental Islamic belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah (Tawheed)," Mirwaiz's office said in a tweet.

The statement further said, "Islam does not allow any act that involves worship or reverence directed to anyone or anything other than the Creator."

As the MMU sees it, though Muslims should love and serve their country, they must do this by positive contributions to society, not by actions that they believe are in conflict with their faith.

MMU explained that this, in itself, is a form of compulsion, which is not right. "Forcing Muslim students or institutions to participate in activities against their faith is both unfair and not acceptable," it further added.

The group characterized the directive as an attempt to impose ideology from outside the community.

The order appears to be "a conscious attempt at imposition of RSS-driven Hindutva ideology" through the celebration of a culture in a Muslim-dominated region, rather than any sincere gesture of unity and respect for diversity, said the statement.

"The MMU urged the administration, both headed by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to immediately withdraw such a 'coercive directive which has caused anguish to all Muslims' and ensure that no student or institution is compelled to act against their religious beliefs," added the statement from Mirwaiz's office.

The order came after the government asked the education department to hold scheduled musical activities and functions in schools across Jammu and Kashmir to mark the occasion.

The MMU is considered influential in the region because it brings together religious leaders on a common platform concerning major issues.

They said their opposition was based on religious issues only and demanded respect for religious freedom and for all communities.

The state administration has not made any official response to the objections or request for withdrawal by the MMU.

The statement from MMU comes in light of wider debates throughout the region on the intersection between cultural dictates and religious practice in public institutions. It calls upon the government to not turn a blind eye to the sensibilities of all religious groups while issuing such instructions in the future and to respect diversity as a means of promoting unity.