Bareilly Muslims a divided lot

The decision of a Barelvi cleric to refuse to sing the National Anthem or the National Song during Independence Day celebrations, has divided the Muslims of the area. On the other side are Deobandis, who say they will celebrate the day in keeping with the government’s order.

The decision of cleric Asjad Miyan, decedent of Ahmed Raza Khan (Islamic scholar and devout figure for followers of Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam), to not sing the National Anthem is expected to affect over 1,000 Barelvi madarsas across UP. More than 300 of these are located in Bareilly and nearby districts. The cleric made his decision in response to the government order, in which madarsas were asked to sing National Anthem and videograph celebrations.

However, Mufti Abu Zafar, head of a Deobandi Mosque at Bareilly, opposed his decision. The mufti announced that Deobandi madarsas would celebrate Independence Day as per the government’s directives. Deobandi sect is another prominent sect of Sunni Islam.

“We live in India and are it’s proud citizens. We will sing the National Anthem to uphold the spirit of our independence struggle,” said Zafar. “This decision has been taken by senior clerics in Deoband, and has been relayed all over the state.”

The Barelvi cleric’s decision received mixed reaction from the public. This led senior Barelvi clerics from all over India to gather in Bareilly on Monday, to take a final decision on the issue. It was decided that pupils of registered Barelvi madarsas will not sing National anthem.

In Kanpur, government-aided seminaries will record I-Day celebrations , but most said that students will recite the national anthem, but not Vande Mataram. Nineteen seminaries get financial aid from the government and 45 others have government recognition.