This is the question which has always bothered me! Why we didn’t take offensive in saying “Bharat mata ki Jai” or “Vande Matram”
But this article on Quora by Syed Mohsin beautifully explains it and change the wrong perception people have about these patriotic words.
‘ “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Victory to Mother India) is an Anti-Islamic statement. A Muslim should not chant this otherwise he/she will be thrown out of Islam forever.’
The above statement was said by my closest friend (who was a Muslim too and elder than me in School) just before our School function on the day of Independence i.e 15th August. I was younger then, I believed him and didn’t say “Bharat Mata ki Jai”(Victory to Mother India) or “Vande Matram”(Mother, I salute thee). Being an introvert and shy I never discussed this issue with anyone else except my best friend.
For the next 2 years it continued until I reached 8th standard.
Again, on 15th August, everyone was overwhelmed with patriotism, patriotic songs, speeches, Indian Flag decorations were all around. It all made me happy yet confused. As everyone was engaged in those activities and I was afraid to do so. I never wanted get thrown out of Islam and burned in Hell forever. I heard my class teacher (who was a Muslim and recently joined our School) shouting Bharat Mata ki Jai (Victory to Mother India) . I was standing at 4th place in line from the front, he noticed my silence when everyone was chanting Bharat Mata ki Jai (Victory to Mother India)
The next day, he asked me the reason for it and I spit it out bluntly “I want to remain Muslim forever and never want to get thrown out of Islam”, he laughed out loudly and said “There is nothing wrong in chanting “Vande Matram” (Mother, I salute thee) or “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Victory to Mother India), it has no connection with Islam. It’s our country and it’s our moral duty to respect it”. I listened to him but was still confused. Whatever I had been believing for the past 2 years was wrong?
Thanks to the Internet, I did a little research on this issue, reading translations of Quran and opinions of other Educated Muslims, I realized that it’s just myth and misconception which is widely engrossed in the minds of Muslims all around our Country.
All this hatred has been ignited by few Political Leaders just to fulfill their own purpose. They don’t actually care, as upto how much extent these false statements can harm our society and peace.I am proud to be an Indian Muslim. I love and respect my country. Our national Anthem still gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.
I request all my Muslim brothers to start questioning each and every false belief against our country. We are born here, it’s our motherland and there is nothing bad if you respect and feel proud on it.
Bharat Mata ki Jai! (Victory to Mother India)
Vande Mataram! (Mother, I salute thee)
Jai Hind! (Victory to India)
