Congress criticises Jamat-e-Islami Hind for backing Darul Uloom fatwa

The Congress Party on Sunday criticised the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) for backing the fatwa issued by leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband against chanting of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', saying that passing judgement on such matters is not the prerogative of religious institutions.

"It is not their prerogative to decide it. It can only be decided by the Constitution of India and the law of the land. No religious institution can issue any fatwa and declare its interpretation. This fatwa was untimely and wrong, and anyone who supports it is also doing a wrong," Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI.

Jamat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) yesterday backed the fatwa issued by Darul Uloom, and said attempts being made to use the slogan as a symbol of patriotism is wrong.

Darul Uloom Deoband on Friday issued a fatwa against the chanting of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', saying that the slogan goes against the tenets of Islam.

"Bharat Mata, according to some Hindu sects, is a goddess and they worship her. For Muslims participating in the worshiping of a goddess would be un-Islamic, the fatwa said.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had stirred a hornet's nest by rejecting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion that the young generation be taught patriotic slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' stating that he won't chant the slogan "even if a knife is put to his throat".