Lucknow: In an attempt to resolve various
issues between Hindus and Muslims, former RSS chief KS
Sudarshan on Sunday met Shia cleric Hamidul Hasan.
During the meeting held here, both Sudarshan and Hasan
discussed issues like Vande Mataram controversy,
India-Pakistan partition and put forth their views, while
emphasising on "unified India".
"Islam teaches us peace, respect for the country and
all religions. Though we did not pay obeisance to anyone
except Allah, we should try to understand and respect Vande
Mataram," Hasan said on the recent Vande Mataram controversy.
He said that all the Muslim ulemas should assemble and
discuss the issue (of reciting Vande Mataram).
Sudarshan said that Vande Mataram meant "Maa Tujhe
Salaam" and there was nothing objectionable in reciting it by
anyone.
The former RSS chief during the interaction said,
"Muslims were not a minority in the country, as they
comprised 17 per cent of the population. They took birth here
and are party of the country."
Toeing Sudarshan's line, the Shia cleric said, "They
(Muslims) are very much part of the country, and were not
responsible for partition of the country."
"Muslims, who went to Pakistan were not happy there," he
said and added, "Muslims never wanted partition. We want an
unified India and support others for the cause."
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009, 21:39