Union Minister blames BJP for raking up Vande Mataram controversy

Ahmedabad, Sep 6 (UNI) Amid the raging controversy over singing of ''Vande Mataram'', Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Mohd. Ali Ashraf Fatmi today blamed the BJP for creating a controversy over the issue and trying to derive political mileage out of it.

He also criticised Imams for issuing ''fatwas (decrees)'' against singing the National Song. ''No imam has the right to issue such fatwas. Fatwas are issued by a body of religious experts. We are unnecessarily raking an issue over the song and demeaning its stature,'' he told reporters here.

He said the Centre's suggestion for recitation of the song on its centenary day tomorrow, was not binding and compulsory. ''Whoever wanted to sing it, could do so and no one should also be forced to sing it,'' he said.

He said the BJP wanted to hijack the issue and take advantage of the controversy. ''They did not think twice while selling 'Ram' to gain political advantage,'' he alleged.

The Minister was here to review the functioning of Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas in Gujarat.

UNI MMG MAZ VD KN1936