Author: Seemi Pasha
Publication: IBN Live
Date: September 03, 2006
URL: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/vande-mataram-naqvi-in-line-of-fire/20453-4.html
Vande Mataram gets further mired in controversy
with Madarsa Darul Ulloom of Deoband issuing a fatwa against BJP Vice President
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
The fatwa labels Naqvi an anti-Muslim for
saying that there's nothing wrong with Muslims singing Vande Mataram.
"The fatwa doesn't bother me. In fact
this kind of fundamentalism increases my patriotism and the patriotism of
95 per cent of the Muslims in India. We all reject this," said Naqvi.
Naqvi had condemned the refusal by some Muslim
clerics to abide by the directive on compulsory singing of Vande Mataram in
schools on September 7.
He had said that those who oppose the National
Song should "leave the country".
"Those who oppose our national song should
better leave the country. Their opposition is a reflection of their separatist
mindset," Naqvi had said, adding, "Every faith preaches patriotism.
Those who are opposing singing of Vande Mataram in the name of Islam are going
against the tenets of the faith."
"His words are not final and they could
be discussed by some other mufti as well who may differ. Fatwa is very important
in Islamic jurisdiction but it should not be taken from somebody who is not
qualified," said an Islamic scholar, Kamal Farroqui.
Public opinion among the Muslim clergy is
in favour of not singing the Vande Mataram.
As September 7 approaches, the two parties
involved in the Vande Mataram controversy have become more antagonistic.
A song that was supposed to be a symbol of
national unity has today become the epicenter of conflict.
