Date:06/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/06/stories/2006090606301300.htm

National

Do not focus on divisive issues, Milli Council tells BJP

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The All-India Milli Council has, in a letter, to BJP president Rajnath Singh charged him with "once again focussing on divisive issues to sour social relations in the country."

Writing about the BJP stand on Vande Mataram, Mohammad Manzoor Alam, Milli Council general secretary, said that the Supreme Court in the Jehovah's Witness versus State of Kerala case ruled that the sect could not be forced to sing the national anthem if it was against their beliefs to do so.

Mr. Alam argued that the same would apply to Vande Mataram, whose author said the song was a prayer to a Hindu Goddess.

The Council said reasonable conduct could not be expected of the BJP, which brought down the Babri Masjid despite affidavits to the Supreme Court that the monument would be safe.The Council pointed to a ruling of the United States Federal Court, which said the children of Mormon Christians should not be forced to sing `The Star Spangled Banner' because it ran counter to their beliefs.