Flag hoisting, singing national anthem on Independence Day must in UP madrassas

Madrassas today celebrated the 71st Independence Day by unfurling the tricolour and reciting national anthem, even as the Uttar Pradesh government's recent order of videography of the celebrations created "confusions" among the Islamic schools.

Eminent cleric and Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah, Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali has however questioned the move and said that since 1947, 'jashn-e-azadi' has been celebrated in the madrassas always "so why this sudden missive". He said the registrar of the council will have to explain whether this has been issued for only madrassas or to all government schools and whether they would also be videographed.

UP Madrasa Shiksha Parishad has also issued a circular in this regard and asked all madrasas affiliated to it to comply with its orders. (Image: Representational)

Photography and videography of these events has been made mandatory so that the compliance is monitored by the state, the letter said. The directives have been issued by the registrar of the Parishad, Rahul Gupta.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahli, head of Darul Uloom Firangimahal, said, "The Independence Day was celebrated in the madrassas traditionally with unfurling of national flag, recital of national anthem and distribution of sweets among students."

Students have been asked to sing songs on nationalism and discuss the history of August 15 and the freedom fighters. The circular also calls for holding cultural programmes based on the theme of national unity, along with sports activities. The Madhya Pradesh Madrasa Board later followed in the UP MSP's footsteps and ordered all 256 madrasas in the state to unfurl the national flag and recite the national anthem on August 15. (Image: Representational)

Indian students create an outline of India with human chain and colors at the 'Madrasa Maulana Azad Middle School' on the eve of Independence Day at Jodhpur on August 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / AFP PHOTO / STR