On 3rd August, UP Madarsa Shiksha Parishad directed all Madarsas in the state to unfurl national flag and recite the national anthem on India’s 70th Independence Day.
The circular directs all madarsas to hoist the tricolour and sing the national anthem at 8 am. The flag hoisting should be followed by a speech on the importance of the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. The students will also have to pay tributes to freedom fighters on the occasion.
The Uttar Pradesh government also directed the madarsas to photograph/videograph the event.
However, the madarsas have criticised the order, calling it an attempt to test the patriotism of Muslims. While, the government claims that the recording will be done only to “identify the ‘best programmes’ so that they could be ‘replicated’.” Questions were raised at the directive to photograph and videograph the event. UP minority affairs minister Mohsin Raza welcomed the order
It’s good initiative: UP Min M Raza on UP Madarsa Shiksha Parishad directs Madarsas to unfurl national flag&recite national anthem on Aug 15
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 11, 2017
Following the footsteps of UP, even Madhya Pradesh Madarsa Board issued advisory to celebrate the Independence Day and send photographs of the celebrations. MP Madarsa board chairman, however, said that the order was a routine order to celebrate the Independence Day
Jo sachha Islam ka manne wala hai, usse lazmi taur se watan se mohabbat karna hai: Syed Imad Uddin, Chairman, MP Madarsa Board
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017
The chairman of MP Madarsa Board further added that the directive is sent every year and photographs are also called in.
