Author: Correspondent
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: August 21, 2006
The BJP on Sunday condemned the refusal by
some Muslim clerics to abide by a Central directive on compulsory singing
of Vande Mataram in schools on September 7, saying 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," BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. "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," he said.
Citing religious reasons, some Muslim leaders have opposed the Central directive
to all schools to recite the first two stanzas of the national song at 11
am on September 7 to mark the centenary of its adoption.
