India: Proposed Bill to Punish Insulting 'Vande Mataram' Sparks Religious Polarisation Fears

The proposed bill, which provides for punishment for insulting'Vande Mataram ', drew sharp criticism from the office bearers of Sunni Ulema Council and Kul Hind Jamiat-ul-Awam. Sunni Ulema Council general secretary Haji Salis criticised the proposal, accusing the government of playing politics of religious polarisation. While Kul Hind Jamiat-ul-Awam general secretary Mehboob Alam said the law should be respected, but it would not be appropriate to impose any religious expression on any community. Sunni Ulema Council general secretary Haji Salis told IANS that the government was constantly raising issues that would create religious tension and hatred in the society. Since the country's independence till date, no Muslim has opposed those who sing'Vande Mataram '. The Muslim community's non-reading of it is not a symbol of any protest, but a matter of its religious faith. Tawheed, the worship of God and the recitation of a few lines by Muslims, is not an insult to the Muslim community.