UP seminary demands removal of word ‘Sindh’ from Indian national anthem

LUCKNOW: A religious seminary in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has come up with a rather unusual demand from the government, seeking removal of word ‘Sindh’ from the Indian national anthem and said seminary students will sing it once the amendment takes effect.

The demand was mooted by Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema celebrated the Independence Day on Tuesday.

“It has been a tradition since 1947 to offer special prayers for the country after hoisting flag on the Independence Day. It was followed this year as well,” said a Maulana Khalid Ghazipuri Nadwi, a cleric in the seminary. When asked why national anthem was not sung, he said that ‘Jan Gan Man…” has the word ‘Sindh’ which is now in Pakistan. We cannot pray for Pakistan. If government removes the word, we will sing it proudly,” he added.

According to TOI, Nadwa is not affiliated with the UP Madrassa Board which directed all madrassas to celebrate Independence Day and videograph it as an evidence. “Though we have not received any directions from the Board, we read in newspaper that government wants madrassas to keep evidence, hence we conducting photography and video recording of the events,” said Maulana Dr Saeedur Rehman Azmi, principal of the institution.

“We celebrate Independence every year but it is the first time that media has come to record the event, said Mohammad Saqib a student pursuing Aalim course. “We have a group song team which practiced for months to sing Sare Jahan Se Achcha,” said Mohammad Intekhab a student.