‘This is to torment us’: Muslim cleric urges parents to pull children out of schools over CM Yogi’s Vande Mataram order

A major political and religious row erupted on Monday after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that singing Vande Mataram would be made mandatory in all educational institutions across the state. Speaking at the Ekta Yatra and Vande Mataram singing event in Gorakhpur, Chief Minister Adityanath said the decision was intended to instil national pride and unity among students. “There should be a sense of respect for the national song Vande Mataram. We will make its singing compulsory in every school and educational institution of Uttar Pradesh so that a sense of reverence and respect is invoked in everyone towards Bharat Mata and Matrubhoomi,” the Chief Minister said. The announcement immediately drew strong opposition from several Muslim leaders, who s