Madrasas in Varanasi celebrate I-Day by hoisting national flag, singing national anthem

VARANASI: Students and teachers at various madrasas in Varanasi celebrated the Independence Day with patriotic fervour by hoisting national flag and singing national anthem on Tuesday.

Well before the diktat of Aditya Nath Yogi government to madrasas to celebrate Independence Day with recital of national anthem after hoisting national flag, the most madrasas in holy city of Varanasi has been maintaining this tradition.

"Since our childhood we have been celebrating the Independence Day this way in our madarsa," said Md Manzoor Ahmad, the elderly manager of Jamia Arabia Matlaul-Uloom situated on Varanasi-Mughalsarai Road in Kamalgarha locality.

Scores of students with traditional white attire and skull cap gathered at the assembly ground in the morning to take part in flag hoisting ceremony. A teacher gave a command of attention before the flag hoisting by the head of Tanzeem Baiysi Haji Abul Kalam. Following the national anthem, students as well as teachers delivered speeches recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters and great leaders. The madarsa management also distributed sweets among the children.

"We recite national anthem in our madarsa every year on the occasions of Independence Day and Republic Day," said Md. Shahid Jamal, a student of Farsi (Persian) language. Jamal along with Md. Sahil and Md. Faizan was on the stage to sing the national anthem.

This madarsa has over 1600 students, mostly from weaver community. The teachers have nothing to do with the ongoing debate over government's directive to the madrasas. "You saw how we celebrated the national festival. It's worthless to indulge in such controversy. Being Indians we love our country and sing national anthem," said Ahmad. He said that the picture and video footage of the celebration will be sent to the government.

The girls of Madarsa Matlaul-Uloom Miswa in

Jainpura

locality also celebrated I-Day in similar way. The principal

Qaisar Jehan

said that after flag hoisting ceremony, a cultural programme was presented by the girls. Over 1800 girls study in this madarsa. Besides, several other madrasas including Madarsa Jamia Arabia Faizul-Uloom at Dihawa in Kotwa area and

Madarsa Gausia

in Lohata area also celebrated the occasion in similar way.

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