AIMPLB opposes mandatory Vande Mataram in Bengal madrasas, schools
Synopsis
The AIMPLB has opened a fresh constitutional front against Mamata Banerjee's government, demanding withdrawal of an order making Vande Mataram recitation compulsory in Bengal's schools and madrasas. Citing Articles 19, 25 and 28(3) and the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent, the Board says forced recitation violates Tawhid and Muslim students' religious freedom.
Key Takeaways
The AIMPLB has sought withdrawal of a West Bengal order mandating recitation of all stanzas of Vande Mataram in schools and madrasas.
Ilyas cited violations of Articles 19, 25 and 28(3) of the Constitution.
The Board invoked the Supreme Court's Bijoe Emmanuel versus State of Kerala ruling against compelled participation in ceremonies.
It said certain stanzas conflict with the Islamic doctrine of monotheism ( Tawhid ).
Since Independence, the Centre has never made Vande Mataram recitation compulsory in educational institutions.
AIMPLB has urged affected students and parents to seek legal remedies.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has demanded immediate withdrawal of a West Bengal government order making recitation of all stanzas of Vande Mataram compulsory during morning assemblies in government schools and state-recognised madrasas, terming it a violation of fundamental rights. The Board, in a statement issued on 2 June, alternatively sought an exemption for Muslim students from the directive.
What the Board has said
In a press statement, AIMPLB spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas argued that the West Bengal government's decision is ‘contrary to the spirit of the Constitution' and inconsistent with India's secular and democratic traditions. Compelling any student to recite a song or text that conflicts with their religious beliefs, he said, constitutes a clear violation of Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Articles 19, 25 and 28(3).
The constitutional argument
Ilyas invoked the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Bijoe Emmanuel versus State of Kerala, in which the Court held that no citizen can be compelled to participate in a national or religious ceremony in violation of sincerely held religious or conscientious beliefs. Referring to Article 28(3), he noted that no student in a state-maintained or state-aided institution can be forced to participate in religious instruction, worship or observance without free consent.
The religious objection
The Board clarified that certain stanzas of Vande Mataram contain concepts which Muslims regard as inconsistent with the Islamic doctrine of monotheism, or Tawhid. Forcing Muslim students to recite the song, Ilyas said, amounts to a direct infringement of their religious identity and constitutional freedoms. He emphasised that a secular state must not impose the religious or cultural traditions of one community upon another.
Historical context
Ilyas pointed out that since Independence, the Government of India has never made recitation of Vande Mataram compulsory in educational institutions. The matter, he said, has historically been treated as one of individual conscience, religious liberty and personal choice. This is not the first time a state-level directive on the song has drawn pushback, with similar debates having surfaced in past years across multiple states.
What's next
The AIMPLB has appealed to Muslim students, parents and teachers in West Bengal to remain aware of their constitutional and legal rights. The Board urged them to seek appropriate legal remedies — relying on the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent — if subjected to any coercion or pressure to recite the song. The state government is yet to formally respond to the Board's demand.
Point of View
AIMPLB's selective constitutionalism — vocal here, muted on other religious-freedom fronts — will invite scrutiny. Expect this to land in court before it cools in classrooms.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has the AIMPLB demanded from the West Bengal government?
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a West Bengal government order making recitation of all stanzas of Vande Mataram compulsory in government schools and state-recognised madrasas. Alternatively, it has sought a clear exemption for Muslim students from the directive.
Why does AIMPLB say the order violates fundamental rights?
AIMPLB spokesperson S.Q.R. Ilyas argued that compelling students to recite a song against their religious beliefs violates Articles 19, 25 and 28(3) of the Constitution. He also said it contradicts the Supreme Court's ruling in Bijoe Emmanuel versus State of Kerala, which protects citizens from forced participation in ceremonies against sincerely held beliefs.
What is the religious objection to Vande Mataram?
The Board said certain stanzas of Vande Mataram contain concepts that Muslims regard as inconsistent with Tawhid, the Islamic doctrine of monotheism. It argued that forcing Muslim students to recite the song infringes upon their religious identity.
What is the Bijoe Emmanuel case cited by AIMPLB?
It is a landmark Supreme Court judgment in which the Court held that no citizen can be compelled to participate in a national or religious ceremony in violation of sincerely held religious or conscientious beliefs. AIMPLB has cited it as binding precedent against the West Bengal directive.
What has AIMPLB advised Muslim students and parents to do?
The Board has urged Muslim students, parents and teachers in West Bengal to remain aware of their constitutional rights and to seek appropriate legal remedies if subjected to coercion. It has pointed them to the protections under the Constitution and the Bijoe Emmanuel ruling.
