Muslims defy fatwa

A large number of people from a cross section of society collected in front of the Jama Masjid at Betul Bazar at the invitation of its Imam, Hafiz Abdul Razique, and recited the song on Sunday.

The event was organised by Rukmani Balaji Mandir, its founder Sam Verma, an NRI, said.
After singing the national song at the temple, a rally acclaiming “Bharat Mata” was taken out and when it was proceeding towards the Bazar Chowk, Razique requested them to sing Vande Mataram in front of the Mosque. Several members of the minority community joined in.

“It is not against Islam to sing Vande Mataram,” Razique said.