Asom Muslims protest 'imposition' of Vande Mataram

Guwahati, Sep 1 (UNI) The United Democratic Front (AUDF), a Muslim fundamentalist party, is leading the community in opposing 'Vande Mataram' in the state.

The Muslims constitute nearly 37 per cent of the population and at least seven districts are fully dominated by the immigrants.

AUDF President Badaruddin Ajmal and Vice-President H R A Chouhdury, who have been touring the Muslim dominated Barak valley, told media there that they would oppose tooth and nail, any forced imposition of 'Vande Mataram', which they visualise as a forcible import by the BJP on the people of India.

''Patriotism can't be imposed. It has to come from within,'' Mr Ajmal said.

The AUDF, which has been completely sidelined in the Asom politics, despite having an impressive performance in the last election was trying to come back to the centrestage as the main saviour of the immigrant Muslims, who have played a major role in Asom politics.

The organisation got a shot in the arm when the AASU raised its voice against illegal immigration and took out a massive rally yesterday to protest against this in front of the Kaziranga National Park. This only helps their cause of uniting the minority community around them.

''There are crores of Bangladeshis in Asom. They could not protect the state and now we are fighting to save even the Kaziranga national park'' AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya said.

AUDF leader H R A Choudhury, considered a moderate however, said, ''We want every illegal immigrant from Bangladesh to return but at the same time the genuine Indian citizens must not be harassed.'' UNI MT BA PR MIR RN1312