Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 21: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Malik Mohtasim Khan has strongly criticised reports suggesting that singing ‘Vande Mataram’ has been made compulsory in madrasas in West Bengal, arguing that patriotism cannot be imposed through coercion.

Speaking to IANS, Khan said that no government has the authority to force citizens or institutions to sing any specific song, adding that such directives go against constitutional freedoms and judicial interpretations.

He said that expressions of patriotism and respect for the country are matters of personal belief and sentiment, not compulsion. Referring to national symbols, he noted that even debates around mandatory singing of the national anthem Jana Gana Mana have raised questions in the past.

“Loving the country and respecting it are different from being forced to demonstrate it in a particular way. No government can decide what citizens must sing or not sing,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court has already laid down clear principles on such issues.

Khan further said that individuals and institutions should have the freedom to choose whether or not to sing ‘Vande Mataram’, and that making it compulsory in educational institutions would be inappropriate if enforced strictly.

He also responded to restrictions on cattle slaughter during Eid al-Adha, saying Muslims have multiple permissible options for ritual sacrifice, including goats, sheep, buffaloes and rams.

He urged members of the community in West Bengal not to insist on cow sacrifice, noting that alternative arrangements exist within religious guidelines.

At the same time, Khan criticised restrictions on cattle trade, arguing that they negatively impact rural livelihoods and the livestock economy. He claimed that the sector also supports a broader supply chain, including slaughterhouses and export-linked businesses.

He called for balanced policy approaches and urged authorities to consider economic implications alongside regulatory decisions.

Appealing for communal harmony, Khan emphasised restraint during the festival period and encouraged people to avoid actions that could create social tension.