Anthem woes

A school in Allahabad that banned the singing of the national anthem, deeming it “un-Islamic”, was shut down and its manager arrested after several teachers resigned to protest against the ban. The matter needs to be seen in an unbiased fashion. Those banning the anthem on the pretext of freedom of religion are undermining their cause denying enthusiastic Indians the right to sing the national anthem. If a particular community or religion has qualms about singing the anthem, they are welcome not to, but a blanket ban does not paint a very pretty picture of a united and secular India.

Nita Kapur

New Delhi