Indian Army should stop playing Iqbal’s Sare Jahan Se Achha, says DU V-C

The Indian Army should stop playing Muhammad Iqbal’s Sare Jahan Se Achha in its military bands, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said on Monday.

Mr. Singh was speaking at the launch of a book authored by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran R. Hari, titled ‘The Story of Vande Mataram’. The book, which was translated from Malayalam to English, was launched at an event organised by Prajna Pravah’s Delhi Prant — the regional unit of the intellectual wing of the RSS — in association with Indus Scrolls Press.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Singh questioned what he described as the contrasting attitudes of a “certain section of society” towards Vande Mataram and Iqbal’s Sare Jahan Se Achha. He argued that some people proudly sing Iqbal’s patriotic composition while refusing to sing Vande Mataram.

Alleging that Iqbal later advocated ideas associated with Partition, Mr. Singh questioned the continued use of Sare Jahan Se Achha by Indian Army bands. “The Army should stop playing this song in its band,” he added.

Former Kerala and Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, who was the chief guest at the event, contested Mr. Singh’s interpretation. He argued that while Iqbal’s views changed over time, the poet had once deeply loved India. Emphasising that individuals’ opinions can evolve, Mr. Khan offered a different perspective on the poet’s political and intellectual journey.

“Vande Mataram is not merely a patriotic song; it is an enduring symbol of our civilisational identity, our struggle for freedom, and our collective aspiration for national unity,” Mr. Khan said.

Meanwhile, Prajna Pravah national convenor J. Nandakumar alleged that Vande Mataram had historically been curtailed to just two stanzas by previous governments. “The Congress cannot claim credit for Vande Mataram,” he said. He described 2026 as a moment of renewed prominence for the song, suggesting that it is making a strong comeback in public discourse.