The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has strongly objected to a recent notification issued by the central government directing the mandatory recitation of all verses of Vande Mataram before the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, at official functions and in schools. The Board described the decision as unconstitutional, violative of religious freedom, and contrary to secular principles.In a press statement, the Board’s General Secretary, Maulana Mohammad Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, said the government’s move infringes upon the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution and runs contrary to earlier judgments of the Supreme Court. He stated that the directive directly conflicts with the religious beliefs of Muslims and, therefore, cannot be accepted under any circumstances.Maulana Mujaddidi said that following Rabindranath Tagore’s advice and deliberations in the Constituent Assembly, it was agreed that only the first two verses of Vande Mataram would be used. He alleged that a secular government cannot impose the beliefs or teachings of one religion upon followers of another.He further noted that the song was composed in the context of Bengal and that some of its verses contain references to the worship of Goddess Durga and other deities, which, he said, are not in accordance with Islamic belief. “A Muslim worships only one God, Allah, and Islam does not permit associating anyone with Allah,” he said.The Board also claimed that Indian courts have previously placed limitations on the recitation of other verses, holding that they do not align with secular values.The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has demanded that the central government immediately withdraw the notification. It warned that if the decision is not revoked, the matter will be challenged in court.