Making Vande Mataram's rendition mandatory not welcome, Muslim body

Ranchi, Sep 1 (UNI) With Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda's decision to make recital of Vande Mataram mandatory in educational institutions, a Muslim religious body today urged the BJP-led NDA government not to make the issue a political controversy.

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.

UNI PRS KK YA DB1942