Muslim youth fasts against fatwa

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Agra: A Muslim youth ended his eight-day fast to protest a fatwa (religious ruling) against the singing of India's national song Vande Mataram in schools.

The fatwa was issued by Sunni Ulema Board president Maulana Syed Shah Badruddin Qadri in Hyderabad.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) had issued a directive to states for recitation of Vande Mataram during a celebration on September 7 to mark the national song's centenary.

HRD Minister Arjun Singh later clarified that the singing of the national song was "voluntary in nature".

Gulchaman Sherwani went on fast under the Bharat Mata statue in front of the Agra Civil Court.

He said, "Vande Mataram was not against Islam and by opposing its singing in schools the Maulana had committed an anti-national act."

The district administration Monday forced him to drink a glass of juice and call off his fast as his condition was deteriorating.