Fatwa against Vande Mataram against Indian culture : Naqvi

New Delhi, Sept 2 (UNI) Rejecting strongly the fatwa issued by the clerics of Dar-ul-Uloom of Deoband asking Muslim parents to withdraw their children from the schools forcing them to sing the National Song Vande Mataram, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said this kind of dictat using the shield of Islam was not just against the culture of this country but would also find no support from common Muslims.

Taking note of Dar-ul-Uloom's fatwa criticising him for extending support to the singing of the National Song, Mr Naqvi said the fatwa by handful of 'fanatics' was against the basic tenets of taught by Islam. They would not find support from the masses from Muslim community who were patriots whose loyalties could not be swerved by such forces.

Mr Naqvi is incharge of organising the recital of Vande Mataram throughout the country on September seven, the day chosen by the government to observe centenary of the National Song.

The party has directed its units across the country to sing Vande Mataram with respect and honour in all public places and educational institutions.

This kind of intolerant behaviour displayed by ill-informed groups was nothing but a replica of reprehensible behaviour of people like Al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden at the global level.

He said this attitude was against the interest of patriotic and nationalist-minded Muslims but unfortunately, the so called secular political forces were willing to surrender the national interests in the hope of getting support from these fanatic forces, he said.

He said Vande Mataram issue was not about singing or not singing the National Song but handful of Ulemas were seeking to sow the seeds of separatism in the name of religion. "They should understand that India is run by secular democratic norms and and not through Shariat", he said.

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