Daijiworld Media Network

Lucknow, Aug 17: After many of the 'madrasas' (Islamic schools) in Uttar Pradesh defied the State government’s directives by not singing the national anthem during Independence Day celebrations, the government is contemplating stern action against the management of the erring madrasas.

In Kanpur, Meerut and Bareilly, three of the biggest madrasa centres in the state, students sang Saare Jahan Se Achha, a 20th century patriotic song penned by the poet Mohammad Iqbal.

Some clerics who believe in the Barelvi school of Islamic thought justified that they did not sing the national anthem as it was written in praise of George V, the then king of England and it will belittle the struggle of freedom fighters. Some said the anthem was not in accordance with the tenets of Islam.

Another Muslim cleric demanded the removal of the word 'Sindh' in the anthem. Sindh is in Pakistan and we cannot pray for the prosperity of that country, he told news reporters.

A senior official from the education department stated that a probe will be conducted, as the department has received several complaints of Independence Day celebrations not being conducted in accordance to rules in madrasas. Proof is being collected, before taking strict action against the management of the erring madrasas, he added.

Most of the clerics did not record the video of the Independence Day celebrations, another directive issued by the State government. “We don’t need to record proof to show our patriotism,” they justified.