New Delhi: The Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind
resolution on reciting Vande Mataram has evoked mixed reaction
from Muslim leaders today with one section voicing disapproval
of raising a "dead issue" when the community has more serious
matters to address and another noting that its singing or not
could not be the criteria for defining patriotism.
"This (Vande Mataram) is a dead issue. I don`t
understand what compelled them to raise the issue. Why such
things are raised when more and more serious issues are
there," asked Yahya Bukhari of Jama Masjid United Forum.
He said no one is forcing the community members to
sing the song. "Unnecessarily we are creating conflicts. I
believe there is no substance in this demand. This is done
just to attract media attention," Bukhari claimed.
"If the song is about salutation, there is nothing
wrong," he said, adding Muslims love but do not worship their
country and it is part of their faith.
S Q R Illyasi of All India Muslim Personal Law Board
also toed the same line. "It is a well settled issue, the
opinion of Muslims on this is known for a long time, since the
time of our independence that Muslims love their country but
do not worship it.
"But I do not understand the timing and reason behind
raising this issue. It was not the occasion to raise this
issue again," he said.
However, Manzoor Alam of Institute of Objective
Studies said he does not think there is a controversy in
supporting the resolution.
"Singing or not singing a song can in no terms be
called a criteria to define patriotism. There is no contention
that the song is un-Islamic," Alam said supporting the
resolution.
"There is no question that Indian Muslims love their
motherland, but the national song cannot be forced upon
anyone. It is like forcing a majority`s will on the minority,"
he said.
The Jamiat-Ulema-e Hind passed a resolution at its
annual meeting in Deoband yesterday asking members of the
community not to recite Vande Mataram and supported seminary
Darul Uloom`s edict which opposes any prayer involving the
song.
Bureau Report
