Andhra Pradesh Christian body condemns additional verses to Vande Mataram, calls it a threat to religious freedom

The Andhra Pradesh Christian Leaders Forum (APCLF) demanded exemption from singing the full Vande Mataram in schools, stating that the Christian world condemns the recent government order and calling for a reversal to the earlier practice of limiting it to the first two stanzas, alleging that the recitation of all six verses is a threat to religious freedom and the mental well-being of children.

Speaking at a press conference organised under the aegis of APCLF on 17 February in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the Chairman, Oliver Rayi, said that the recent issuance of a GO by the Central Government adding four new verses to the national song Vande Mataram, making it a total of six verses to be sung, is hurting Christian beliefs and sentiments. He said that the Christian world condemns the move to make it mandatory to sing this in all schools.

He said the later stanzas (3 onwards) define the motherland as Hindu goddesses like Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, invoking ritualistic worship (“namāmi” – I bow to thee) and temple imagery. For Christian children, this mirrors idolatrous practices forbidden by the Bible (Exodus 20:3–5), equating the nation with divine entities and clashing with our monotheistic faith in Christ alone (1 Timothy 2:5). Daily recitation forces a symbolic betrayal of core doctrines, wounding the tender religious affinities nurtured by families and churches, much like historical persecutions that demanded conformity over conscience.

CHRISTIANS CALL TO WITHDRAW : Vande Mataram - New Protocol for Schools - Issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Dt. 27/Jan/2026 :

Compulsory Daily Recitation of Vande Mataram in Schools – A Threat to Children's Religious Freedom and Mental Well-Being , imposes a profound injustice… pic.twitter.com/3SNrXrJh2v

— Oliver Rayi (@OliverRayi) February 15, 2026

He added that this is not voluntary patriotism but state-enforced conformity, indoctrinating minors into a syncretic worldview that blends nationalism with Hindu devotionalism. By penalising non-participation—through standing mandates or subtle peer pressure—authorities coerce children into affirming beliefs alien to their upbringing, usurping parental authority and violating the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986).

He further added that at an age when children will daily get exposure to conflicting messages—patriotic duty versus religious prohibition—it sows seeds of cognitive dissonance. A child might recite “Thou art Durga” one moment and pray to Jesus the next, grappling with guilt over “disloyalty” to nation or faith.

APCLF Secretary Pastor Arul Arasu said that tendencies to suppress the faith of minorities in India, the sentiments, rights, and religious freedom of Christians are not correct. State Co-ordinator and NGO Nellapati Shyamuel said that Vande Mataram is related to patriotism and that the Christian community also sings it, but they are opposing the new verses due to the malicious actions of some religious fanatics.

APCLF State Churches Co-ordinator Jyothi Anand, Greater Vijayawada Pastors Fellowship President S. Jayakumar Babu, Swarnadeepika Editor Bellamkonda Shivaji Raju, FFSI National President Peter Putta, APCLF Krishna District Co-ordinator B. Raviprakash, Baptist Church, APCLF State Co-ordinator Sunny James, Gootam Rikki and others participated in the meeting.

APCLF is an apex body of state wide Churches including leaders, Arch Bishops, independent Churches and para-church organisations, associations of all districts of AP.