I've paid the price for being patriotic, says Kolkata madrasa headmaster

Updated on 8 January: We spoke to a representative of the Talpukur Aara High madrasa who denied that there were restrictions on singing the national anthem. He said along with Najrul giti, the national anthem was sung regularly by students on the issue. He further added that owing to differences with the management in March last year, Kazi Masum Akhtar wasn't allowed in the Madrasa.

A headmaster of a madrasa in Kolkata was allegedly assaulted by Muslim clerics for teaching his students the National Anthem while preparing for 26 January Republic Day celebrations, reported The New Indian Express.

The headmaster of the government-recognised Talpukur Aara High madrasa, Kazi Masum Akhtar, was attacked by the maulanas who allegedly called the national anthem a "sacrilege" and a "Hindutva song".

A fatwa has been issued against Akhtar and he has been banned from the school.

This is not the first time that Akhtar, who regularly contributes to Bengali dailies, has been attacked on the grounds of religion. In March last year, Akhtar was attacked for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

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Akhtar was asked to grow a beard and wear skull cap before entering the madrasa.