Vande Mataram diktat not welcome: Muslim body

A Muslim religious body urged the BJP-led NDA government not to make the issue a political controversy.

With Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda's decision to make recital of Vande Mataram mandatory in educational institutions, a Muslim religious body on Friday urged the BJP-led NDA government not to make the issue a political controversy.

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Reacting to the BJP's assertion to ensure singing of the national song in all educational institutions on September 7, the minority community organisation said the forum would wait till September 5 before issuing any diktat to their community whether to be present in the educational institutions on that day or not.

However, a national member of BJP's minority cell Mohammad Rizwan Khan said about 500 members from the minority community would congregate at the busy Elbert Ekka Chowk on September 7 to render Vande Mataram.

Edara-e-sharia general secretary Moulana Quttubiddin Rizvi told newpersons here that rendition of the national song on its centenary celebration on September seven should not be a yardstick to judge one's patriotism.

The forum would meet governor Syed Sibtey Razi to give a memorandum requesting him not to impose it, he said.