On December 31, 2025, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU), a coalition of over two dozen religious groups, raised objections to a Vande Mataram singing contest organized by some government departments in Jammu and Kashmir. The MMU issued a joint statement saying, “Expressions and anthems carrying devotional and theological meanings rooted in non-Islamic belief systems raise serious concerns for people who adhere to Islamic monotheistic faith.” The group urged Muslims to avoid participating in the programme, stating Islam “does not permit participation in acts that symbolically or verbally sanctify or deify any created entity.” The MMU also criticized local newspapers for promoting the contest without respect for J&K’s religious sensitivities. They appealed for cultural and religious sensitivity to maintain social harmony. The MMU includes notable leaders such as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mufti Azam Nasir-ul-Islam, and Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq separately expressed worry about rising attacks on Kashmiri shawl sellers outside Jammu and Kashmir, calling such harassment “very disturbing” and a basic human rights issue. CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the safety of shawl vendors facing violence in northern states. Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti highlighted a video from Haryana showing violence against a Kashmiri man refusing to chant Vande Mataram, criticizing authorities for the lack of action. She said, “You cannot force us to chant Vande Mataram or Jai Shri Ram.”