Days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that singing Vande Mataram would be made compulsory in all educational institutions, a government schoolteacher in Aligarh has been suspended and booked by police for allegedly objecting to the national song during morning assembly and entering into a confrontation with colleagues.
Shamsul Hasan, an assistant teacher at Shahpur Qutub Primary School, was suspended by the State Education Department following testimony from staff members, including principal Sushma Rani and five assistant teachers. A First Information Report was registered against him at Roravar police station on a complaint filed by colleague Chandrapal Singh under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to criminal intimidation, intentional insult aimed at provoking breach of peace, and public nuisance.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 12, when Hasan reportedly raised objections to the singing of Vande Mataram and the chanting of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” after morning prayers. According to statements recorded by education officials, the teachers alleged that Hasan objected to these chants and allegedly warned he would call community members if they were not stopped.
According to principal Sushma Rani, Hasan objected on religious grounds, saying Vande Mataram went against his faith. Other teachers told officials he had voiced concerns that Muslim parents might be uncomfortable with the song being recited in a school where their children study.
But Hasan’s own account diverges sharply. He told officials he had politely objected when the slogan was raised as it conflicted with religious beliefs, and that a heated argument erupted only after one teacher started using abusive words against him. “Since the song was being introduced, I only suggested that the school should first consult families who may have reservations before implementing it,” he said. He denied misbehaving with colleagues but confirmed questioning the new practice.
The incident comes amid a state government push to foreground patriotic symbols in schools. On November 10, Chief Minister Adityanath announced that singing Vande Mataram would be made compulsory in every school and educational institution across Uttar Pradesh to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song. Addressing an Ekta Yatra event in Gorakhpur, he said the step would inspire feelings of reverence and pride among citizens towards Bharat Mata and the motherland. He called opposition to the national song “unjustified” and stated that those who oppose it are, in effect, “opposing Mother India.”
However, India’s Constitution does not mandate the singing of Vande Mataram. While the Constituent Assembly adopted it as a national song in 1950, no constitutional provision makes it legally binding. Courts have held that citizens cannot be compelled to sing even the National Anthem, provided they stand respectfully. In 2022, the Union government stated in an affidavit that while citizens should respect both Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram equally, there is no legal compulsion to sing either.
Rakesh Kumar Singh, District Basic Education Officer in Aligarh who suspended Hasan, said directions had been issued by the government to ensure singing of Vande Mataram after morning assembly in every school. “We have passed on the instructions to every school, which are following them. However, none is compelled to sing it,” he said. “In this case, this particular teacher did not sing the national song and also objected to others singing it. He entered into a fight with other teachers, maintaining that he would not allow them to sing the song as it is against his religion.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mayank Pathak confirmed that a complaint had been registered under relevant sections following the petition alleging verbal confrontation over the singing of Vande Mataram.
Hasan now awaits the outcome of both the departmental inquiry and the criminal case, even as schools across Uttar Pradesh begin implementing the government’s directive to ensure the singing of Vande Mataram in assemblies.
