A fierce controversy has broken out in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district after a cultural programme organised at Abdul Gafur Shah Nagar Parishad Urdu School No. 2 in Umarkhed allegedly featured singing and dancing to a Pakistani patriotic military song during Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
Following the incident, local BJP leader Gopal Kalane filed a police complaint at the Umarkhed police station, alleging that the performance hurt national sentiments and amounted to an anti-national act. The matter has since triggered protests in the area, while a video of the event has gone viral on social media platforms.
According to the complaint, during the school’s cultural programme, the song “Ae Mard-e-Mujahid Teri Lalakar Kya Hai” was played while students performed a dance. The song is widely known as a military motivational anthem in Pakistan and has historical association with the country’s armed forces.
Kalane alleged that the performance of such a song at a Republic Day function, a national celebration marking the adoption of India’s Constitution, was inappropriate and offensive.
“In the programme at Abdul Gafur Shah Urdu School No. 2 on January 26, the Pakistani song ‘Ae Mard-e-Mujahid Teri Lalakar Kya Hai’ was performed with dance. This jihadist song, given national status by Pakistan and used during the 1965 war, amounts to sedition by the principal and teachers. Severe punishment is warranted,” Kalane stated in his complaint.
Following the surfacing of the video, BJP workers and local residents staged protests in parts of Umarkhed, demanding immediate action against those responsible for organising the programme. Protesters alleged that educational institutions must uphold constitutional values and national sentiment, particularly during events of national importance.
The BJP has also accused the school administration of negligence and questioned how such a song was cleared for performance without scrutiny.
The Umarkhed police confirmed that a complaint has been registered and that a preliminary investigation is underway.
Officials said they are examining the video footage, the sequence of events during the programme, and the role of the school authorities in approving the cultural items. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry, police added.
Clips of the performance, widely circulated on social media, have intensified the controversy, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders and citizens alike. Authorities have not yet commented on whether the video will be subjected to forensic verification as part of the investigation.
The school management has not issued an official statement so far.
