Vande Mataram is anti-Muslim: IUML

MUMBAI: The Indian Union Muslim League on Saturday said Vande Mataram is "anti-Muslim" and any attempt to force Muslims to sing it would be "uncivilised".

"Any attempt to force the singing of Vande Mataram will be uncivilised and an affront to the secular character of our polity and will also not be tolerated by Muslims," IUML president G M Banatwala said.

"Vande Mataram has been consistently and conscientiously held as idolatrous by Muslims. It also has an anti-Muslim and objectionable background. Muslims cannot sing it," he said.

Banatwala called on Muslim students not to attend classes on September seven in case there was "any fear of insistence on singing Vande Mataram".

The Centre has issued a directive asking schools to get their students to recite Vande Mataram on September seven to mark the centenary of the national song.

"It is most unfortunate that instead of appreciating the Muslim position, the Sangh Parivar is out to vitiate the communal atmosphere," he said.

"Muslims should not, as usual, accept any provocations and maintain calm and patience. They may stand up silently as a mark of respect to the right of the gathering singing Vande Mataram," Banatwala said.