Jamiat favours Darul fatwa opposing Vande Mataram recitation

"The fatwa of Darul Uloom (opposing recitation of Vande Mataram) is correct," said one of the 25 resolutions passed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind on Tuesday at its 30th general session here in 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.

"The judgement of the Supreme Court also clearly states that nobody can be compelled to sing Vande Mataram," said the resolution, which was adopted by over 10,000 clerics from across the country. It also expressed deep concern over the communal hatred and violence exploiting the issue.

"We love and respect the mother, but do not worship her. The house demands that the issue of Vande Mataram should not be deliberately raised for causing communal discord and threat to law and order," said the resolution, which sparked a sharp reaction from other groups which burnt the effigy of Darul Deoband at some places. The resolution also condemned the exploitation of Vande Mataram for targetting Muslims. "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 Jamiat also attacked the UPA government and asked it to stop making "lucrative promises" to minorities and immediately implement the recommendations of the Sachar committee report. The body also adopted a series of resolutions asking the UPA government to stop interfering in minorities affairs, including tampering with madrasa education system.

"We demand from the UPA government to implement the Sachar Committee and the Ranganath Commission recommendations so that maximum number of people are benefited," a resolution said. Jamiat opposed the government's plan to set up a Central Madrasa Board, saying it was yet "another attempt by the government to interfere in the madrasa education system. "The government must avoid setting up Madrasa Board," it warned. It also demanded government to make a law against communal riots and to secure Waqf properties.

The resolutions opposed amendment in article 377 and 33 per cent reservation for women, calling it "unnecessary" as well as "unacceptable". The Jamiat further condemned suicide bombings saying it take lives of innocent people. The concluding day of the three-day session was also attended by CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury and yoga guru Ramdev, who demonstrated his skills to thousands of Muslim clerics. Darul Uloom had issued a fatwa in favour of yoga after some clerics last year banned Muslims from practising it.