Hoist Tricolour, sing national anthem, record I-Day events

THERE ARE ABOUT 16,000 MADRASAS IN THE STATE OF WHICH 560 ARE FULLYAIDED

LUCKNOW: Madrasas (schools imparting Islamic education) across Uttar Pradesh will have to compulsorily hoist the Tricolour and play the national anthem on August 15 this year.

They will also have to videograph and photograph the event, said a circular issued by the UP Madarsa Shiksha Parishad.

There are about 16,000 madrasas in the state of which 560 are fully-aided. The missive directs all madrasas to hoist the Tricolour and sing the national anthem at 8am.

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 directive says students will have to sing patriotic songs and take part in sports events on Independence Day, celebrations of which must end with the distribution of sweets. The order, which makes photography and videography of the event mandatory, says visual proof will help the board to encourage participants so that they can put up a better show in the future.

Expectedly, the order has not gone down well with many madrasas. “A madrasa student is equally patriotic as any other student. There was no need to issue such an order, especially only to madrasas, which have been celebrating the country’s Independence since 1947,” said Imam Eidgah Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahli.

He questioned the need to photograph and videograph the event. “I have no objection to it also, provided a similar order is issued to other government schools as well,” he said.

“The order raises doubts on the integrity of those running madrasa and its students. We have an objection on the use of photography and videography,” said a madrasa owner, who does not wish to be quoted.

UP minority affairs minister Mohsin Raza said, “It is a welcome move so that madrasa students can learn more about the country’s freedom struggle.”