As for singing Vande Matarm, I agree that it has been used unfairly during Hindu-Muslim Riots in the past. But the poem is about worshiping one’s motherland and I don’t see anything wrong in singing it. That said, I cannot be forced to sing it if i don’t want to.

I am really shocked.In fact I perfectly agree with what Girish said in his Opening Comment.”Would you similarly, in the harshest of words, condemn books that advocate the “smiting of necks of unbelieversâ€? or the “killing of unbelievers wherever you find themâ€? or says that “unbelievers are uncleanâ€? etc.? I am sure you know where these verses are. If these verses are to be read in context and not out of context, the same must be said of lesser books like Anand Math, which is after all a piece of fiction by a human being, who was a product of his times, and further does not enjoy any official status.”

So why cant you guys stop raising trivialissues and insist on not singing a song that thousands of Freedom Fighters sang.If they had started such a discussion they would have ended their lives discussing this and not in the freedom struggle.Lets have posts which will really uplift the Muslim Community and not sensationalise the issue.

Adnan, the biggest test for patriotism has been for Kashmiri Hindus who have been refugees in their own country and now scattered worldwide. Denied justice by their own Indian brothers,

I really have sympathy for people who have nothing else but all wrong reasons against BJP. Kashmiri hindus never favoured the right wing but why were they killed and driven out, their homes burnt or captured? The terrorists openly asked hindus to step aside from muslims in buses and then shot at discriminately. Thousands of Kashmiri pandits were either killed or driven in midnight out from the valley. Their only sin of that being Hindu.

And Adnan you feel that being asked to sing a song tests your patriotism.

Mahesh

The Taran e Hind is not taken as national song but it is still sung very fervently by one and all in India and is not known in Pakistan.

Saare Jahan se Acha, Hindostan hamara.

The Taran-e-Hind later became the Taran-e-Milli which also signifies the change in Iqbal’s outlook.

Chin Arab Hamara Hindostan Hamara, Muslim Hain Ham, Saara Jahan Hamara.

Regards,
Manoj George

Point taken. If you see the very first comment in the article you will see why I gave my view on the subject. I accept your views if they are accurate allthough debatable.

Also my point is very clear. There should be no compulsion in singing the song. Our national anthem was adapted from Taran-e-Hind from Iqbal. The same Iqbal who wanted to build a strong India and in his initial years had no compulsion in equating India with Hindustani. However the same Iqbal who had composed the Tarana-E-Hind went ahead to propound and endore the 2 nation theory after his tours to western europe and Middle east where he became highly critical of the west’s seperation of religion from the state. The national Anthem was still accepted because when it was composed it meant for India.

I have not read the Novel, however my initial research on the book lead me to what is called the sanyasi rebellion which had happened much earlier that the war of independance. The book was written in this context where both hindu sanyasis and Muslim Fakirs had revolted against British India company.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sannyasi_Rebellion

I personally will like to know whether the book was read completely and interpreted right before any controversy. As far as I know the initial controversy with the song was that there is a stanza related to Goddess Durga because of which Muslims have always opposed this song.

And finally I find this controversy completely irrelevant. I have always sung the national anthem through my school days. Are these schools or institutions run by Vidya mandir chain etc where this controersy has arisen? If yes then a thought should be given before any controversy.

Regards,
Manoj George

Quran was complete during the time of Prophet and it is the fundamental belief of ALL Muslims that Quran is the word of Allah. So, to imply that somehow the later compilers added something to it is sacreligious to Muslims.

I am not sure how your last comment can lead you to conclude what you did in the previous comment. Anyways, we were discussing Anand Math here.

Yes I might not be accurate and will like to know more. My comments were more based upon reading of some books and study on net . And one of the comments which significantly lead to my views was:-

During the life of Muhammad the Qur’an, though written, was scattered amongst his companions, much of it as private possession. After Muhammad’s death, Abu Bakr initially exercised a policy of laissez faire . This policy was reversed after the Battle of Yamama in 633 AD. During the battle, 700 Muslims who had memorized the Qur’an were killed. The death of SÄ?lim, however, was most significant, as he was one of the very few who had been entrusted by Muhammad to teach the Qur’an. Consequently, upon Umar’s insistence, Abu Bakr ordered the collection of the hitherto scattered pieces of the Qur’an into one copy.Zaid ibn Thabit, Muhammad’s primary scribe, was assigned the duty of collecting all of the Quranic text. This compilation was kept by Umar, who on his deathbed gave them to Hafsa bint Umar, his daughter and one of Muhammad’s widows

I am a seeker and will want to know more if the above differs.

Regards,
Manoj George

Quran was not written in lifetime of Prophet or by the Prophet and therefore lots of things apart from teachings of the prophet were put in by their followers who used to love the prophet and probably had seen the harsh treatment of the new religious people by the then Arab tribes.

Manoj:

As much as I respect your good intentions, I still have to say this: you have no idea what you are talking about here. This is the most fantastical comment I have heard about Quran yet.

I have not read this novel and I had not even heard about it. Personally I love my country very much and I dont know the song. However, I am also against criticising anyone just because of one paragraph . I don’t know why Adnan you need to put in something sensational and then have to get everyone excited. The very title Anand Math exposed. I am sure this book must be open on shelfs and not hidden somewhere waiting to be exposed. Girish you also immediately react. Soon everyone is reacting over nothing.

First of all demeaning anything is wrong. Quran was not written in lifetime of Prophet or by the Prophet and therefore lots of things apart from teachings of the prophet were put in by their followers who used to love the prophet and probably had seen the harsh treatment of the new religious people by the then Arab tribes. They wanted that the teachings should spread and if needed force used. When I read Quran I found many good teachings. I also know the verses which you came across and I myself was very puzzled in the beginning. However if we see the social status around at that time you will see why Hijrah happened or why these things got put in. However, I feel that if the prophet was there he would have been highly disillusioned with his followers.

Now coming to Anand Math. I don’t think that when the song was written and when it was included in the book it meant the same. This book was written at a time after the Indian revolution of 1857 when British were trying to divide Hindus and Muslims to create a strength for themselves in India. As Adnan even said please ”Don’t even explain” so he has allready endorsed his views and he says that he won’t change and never sing this song.

When everyone knows that BJP needs issues for votes then why do we provide this. I feel that people who want to force singing vande matram and those who dont want to both need to be treated.

There is a huge widening economic gap in the country, our infrastructure is in shambles, there is huge illiteracy, there are terrorist dangers, suspicion and hate is rising, inethical journalism and we have to argue why a song can not be sung. God have mercy on us and this country. Any illiterate can also understand that why we can never progress.

Regards,
Manoj George