Deoband :
A day Darul Uloom Deoband — largest Muslim seminary — cleric denied singing the National Anthem till Sindh word is not removed from the Anthem, Yogi Adityanath-led BJP Uttar Pradesh government’s minister said, “A nationalist will never question the National Anthem.”
Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, “A person who is an Indian National should sing the National Anthem and not question it. People questioning our National Anthem are trying to divert the topic.”
He added, “People who are finding Sindh as an excuse not to sing the National Anthem will be questioned for their nationality. They should stand and sing the National Anthem.”
The BJP leader was backed by Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sunil Singh Sajan. “No one has the right to question our National Anthem,” said Sajan.
Uttar Pradesh state Congress spokesperson Virendra Madan backing the UP health minister and said, “We also should respect the National Anthem. After Independence we sing the National Anthem and questioning it is not right.”
On Monday, Darul Uloom Deoband’s Maulana Abdul Latif Qasmi talking to media said that the word Sindh, now part of Pakistan, should be removed from the National Anthem. “Instead of Sindh, Kashmir should be mentioned.”
Darul Uloom Deoband clerics, teachers and students after hoisting the National Flag at top of their building in Uttar Pradesh’s Nadwa sang 'Saare Jahan se Accha Hindostan Hamara' followed by special prayers for the safety and prosperity of the country instead of the National Anthem. Then they had said that the seminary since 1947 offered special prayers for the country after hoisting flag on the Independence day.
