BJP for action on Vande Matram defiance

The comments followed the group singing of the full Vande Mataram by senior BJP leaders on Thursday.

As BJP's top brass huddled up to discuss internal issues, a senior party leader condemned the

HT Image

fatwas

over the singing of

Vande Matram

and advocated action against defiance over the national song.

"I think the government should consider action against those who oppose the singing of the national song. I think those who are opposing Vande Mataram are promoting terrorism," BJP general secretary Vinay Katiyar told reporters in Dehradun.

His comments followed the group singing of full Vande Mataram, including portions opposed by the Muslim League seven decades ago, by senior party leader LK Advani, Rajnath Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi to mark the centenary of the adoption of the national song.

"We do not condemn any particular religion but there are a handful of people who are showing disrespect towards our national symbol by indulging in such acts of defiance," Katiyar said.

He denied charges that BJP was trying to whip up passions by raising the hindutva issue ahead of the elections in several states, including UP.

"On the other hand, our campaign is against those people who are opposing the national symbol on the pretext of religion."

He also attacked Doeband Dar-ul-Ulum, which has opposed BJP's call to mandate Vande Matram in schools.

Earlier, BJP leaders Advani, Singh and Joshi released a party publication carrying speeches, history and press reports related to the national song before they left for their office-bearers' meeting.