A top Muslim body today asked members of the community not to recite 'Vande Mataram' on the grounds that some verses of the national song are against the tenets of Islam, sparking condemnation from the BJP.
The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind opposition to the recitation of the song came when it supported seminary Darul Uloom's 'fatwa' (edict) which opposes any prayer involving the song.
"The fatwa of Darul Uloom (opposing recitation of Vande Mataram) is correct," said one of the 25 resolutions passed today at its 30th general session in Deoband in the presence of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.
Darul Uloom's fatwa department had issued the edict in 2006 describing recitation of Vande Mataram as anti-Islamic.
Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said the resolution is not acceptable and it is against Constitutional provisions.
"During the freedom struggle, it was a motivational song. It should be sung by every patriot," he said.
The resolution, which was adopted by over 10,000 clerics from across the country, said, "The judgement of the Supreme Court also clearly states that nobody can be compelled to sing Vande Mataram."
"Patriotism does not require singing of Vande Mataram. We love our country and have proved this several times, but Vande Mataram violates our faith in monotheism that is the foundation of Islam," the resolution said.
The BJP also seized on the approval of resolution to attack Chidambaram saying his presence has legitimised Jamiat's decision.
Its national vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the presence of Chidambaram at the programme "gave legitimacy to the resolution...It is a matter of concern".
