Children Expelled By ‘Muslim’ School Owing To Father’s Love For Vande Mataram: Report

A man from Agra has claimed that his children have been expelled from their school owing to his love for the national song, Vande Mataram, the Times of India has reported.

Gulchaman Sherwani, belonging to Azampara in Agra, a Muslim dominated locality, has said that his children were expelled from a ‘Muslim’ school after the community mounted pressure on the school. Sherwani has earlier claimed that a fatwa had been issued against him by the Delhi Jama Masjid Imam, Maulana Ahmed Bukhari, dubbing him a “kafir” because of his love for the national song.

According to the daily, Aslam Khan, who runs the school, admitted that Sherwani’s daughter had been expelled due to pressure from the community. She was given admission last year.

Sherwani has earlier been disowned by the community and family for being vehemently opposed to the 2006 fatwa by Sunni Ulema Board against singing Vande Mataram. Mohammad Idrish Ali, president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) Agra unit, confirmed that Sherwani had been disowned by the community as prescribed under the Shariat for reciting Vande Mataram.

Islamists in India have opposed Vande Mataram saying it goes against Islam and their religious beliefs. The controversy over the national song has blown up in the last few years. Politicians, including AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, have used the issue as a political tool to rally support during elections.