AGRA: While many Muslims have raised strong objections to singing “Vande Matram”, a self-proclaimed “lover” of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay ’s song from the community in Agra, Gulchaman Sherwani , claims that his children are not being given admission in Muslim schools due to his passion for the national song .

Sherwani, who lives in Muslim dominated area of Azampara and wear clothes stitched in the tri-colours of the national flag, told TOI that his children had been removed from school after others from his community objected to their presence because he sings Vande Matram .

When contacted Aslam Khan, who runs School in Azampara told TOI, Sherwani’s daughter was admitted last year but after objection from other parents he was forced to remove her from the rolls. He said many people from the community had objected to her wearing tri-colour clothes like her father. He also admitted that there were objections to her father singing “Vande Matram”, despite a fatwa against singing it.

Sherwani told TOI that Delhi Jama Masjid Imam, Maulana Ahmed Bukhari issued fatwa against him and dubbed him a “Kafir”. He said that the ‘fatwa’ hasn’t deterred him from singing the song.

Sherwani, claimed that his family had disowned him when he was nine year old for his love for the national song. He said that had never met them since then. However, his step mother, Ajeejan, told TOI that they had never disowned him. “He himself left home due to some personal issues and wanted to stay away from us,” she claimed adding that parents never disown their children whatever the reasons are.

His younger brother, Shakir Ali said, “Sherwani never listens to anyone and does things as per his own wish. Everyone in the family was annoyed with him”, he said while refusing to accept that their anger was because of Sherwani love for the national song.

According to news reports published in some dailies, Sherwani had protested against a “fatwa” issued in 2006 by Sunni Ulema Board president Maulana Syed Shah Badruddin Qadri in Hyderabad, Gulchaman Sherwani, against singing of Vande Matram in schools. As a mark of protest 'Sherwani went on a fast then under the Bharat Mata statue in front of the Agra Civil Court. He had then stated, "Vande Mataram was not against Islam and by opposing its singing in schools the Maulana had committed an anti-national act."

He said that he had demanded action against the Maulana who had issued the fatwa but no action was taken against the Maulana. So, he took a pledge of not eating any “anaaj” (cereals).

He said the fact that his two children were born on 15 August and 26 January proves beyond doubt his love for the country. He said even on his wedding, the band only played Vande Matram and people had danced on it.

His neighbour, Farman Saifi who work as a labourer, said the community against him because of his habits like “ to colour everything in tri colour, reciting Vande Matram and speaking against the fatwas”. He admitted that majority of people from the community preferred not to speak to him..

Talking to TOI, Agra Shahar mufti, Abdul Khuvaid Rumi said, though he was not aware of Shervani's case, muslim reciting anything except the name of Allah is against the tenets of Islam.

Mohammad Idrish Ali, president of AIMIM, Agra unit, confirmed that Sherwani had been disowned by the community as prescribed under the Shariat for reciting Vande matram.

