BJP condemns fatwa against 54 Muslims

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday condemned an Agra Mufti's decision to issue fatwa against 54 Muslims who were reportedly of the view that singing Vande Mataram was not un-Islamic.

"Nothing could be more fundamentalist and foolish," BJP spokesperson Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in New Delhi.

He said the Congress was behind the Mufti's action. "We should understand that Vande Mataram is not performing of puja, but paying respect to the motherland.

"The entire nation, including Muslims, has been singing the song Maa tujhe salaam by A R Rahman and saluting the motherland cannot be un-Islamic."

Mufti Abdul Quddus Rumi excommunicated the 54 Muslims and nullified their marriages. He said singing of the national song 'would lead them (Muslims) to hell.'