Jamiat-e Ulama Hind passed a 'fatwa' banning Indian Muslims from singing Vande Mataram - India's national song. I don't know what provoked Jamiat after more than 50 years since Vande Mataram was designated as national song. Were they deliberating whether it was against Islam to praise your Motherland all these years? Or it dawned as a divine message upon their leaders one fine morning and they decided to release a fatwa. I don't know.
However, the recent controversy made me curious and I revisited the song to find out its meaning. And here is what I found.
1.
Vande Mataram
Sujalam Suphalam
Malayaja Seetalam
Sasya Shamalaam Mataram
Vande Mataram
Translation:
Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.
2.
Shubra Jyotsnaa
Pulakita Yaminim
Pullakusumita
Drumadala Shobhinim
Subhashinim
Sumadhura Bhashinim
Sukhadaam Varadaam
Mataram
Vande Mataram
Translation:
Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.
These are the stanzas we normally sing. It's a no brainer to think that there is anything Un-Islamic in these.
However, later on in the song, the following stanza appears.
6.
Tvam Hi Durgaa
Dasha Prahara Nadhaarini
Kamala Kamaladala Viharini
Vani Vidhyadayini Namaami Tvam
Namaami Kamalaam,
Amalaam, Atulaam
Sujalaam Suphalaam Mataram
Vande Mataram
Translation:
Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Dark of hue O candid-fair
And I think this is what got onto the nerves of the leaders of Jamiat and other Muslim leaders in the past. And even at the time of adoption of this song as National Song there were same controversial voices of protest. And that is what prompted Congress at that time to adopt only first two stanzas as National Song.
Anyway, controversy surrounding Vande Mataram is not new. It has been under attack for a long time. Jamiat just added a spark to ignite it again.
What is your opinion?
[Translation above is by Shree Aurbindo taken from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vande_Mataram]
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4 comments:
Well, I don't think there is anything to comment about ..
When they took out that Fatwa, our very own dear Mr. Home Minister Chidambaram was present at the function but he did not utter a word .. May be he wanted to keep his vote bank intact .. Not a bad move I guess ..
If their singing Vande Matram is un-Islamic then I feel we Hindus should feel their presence in our country un-Hinduism (don't know the word) ..
Recently I was watching App ki adalat anchored by Rajat Sharma .. The person on the hot seat was the Maulwee who ordered this fatwa .. One Muslim gentleman in Audience rightly said that this JIH should concentrate more on changing the image of Muslims and should work for the welfare of backward Muslims rather than indulging in such pity things .. These kind of Muslims we need in our country who can speak out the truth ..
I pity Moderate Muslims! I m sure they will hv no issues singing Vande Mataram. Actually here in some multiplexes, it has become a trend to stand for the national anthem and then start the movie!
Many muslims surely come and stand and sing with us! There is a loophole here.. Ppl r disallowed from singing but they will surely stand up in respect for their nation! I bet!
:( I posted a comment where did it go?
Where is my Comment ?? ..
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