Ranchi, Sep 1 (IANS) A section of Muslims in Jharkhand has opposed the state government's directive to make singing of the national song "Vande Mataram" mandatory in all schools on Sep 7.

The Jharkhand Monin Adhikar Manch, a Muslim organisation, has threatened to observe Sep 7, the day marking completion of centenary celebrations of "Vande Mataram", as black day.

"Such songs have no place in Islam. If we are forced to sing the song then we will observe Sep 7 as black day," said Md Nausad Khan, president of the Manch.

Some other Muslim organisations have also threatened to follow suit if the state government does not take back the order.

The Jharkhand government decided to make singing of "Vande Mataram" - penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876 - mandatory in government schools in reversal of its earlier plan to make it optional.

"Singing the national song has been made mandatory in all the government schools on Sep 7. Singing the national song is not a crime or shame in the country. Politics should not come on the way of its singing," Chief Minister Arjun Munda said.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh had said a few days ago that BJP-ruled states would be directed to make singing of "Vande Mataram" mandatory on that day. BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Gujarat have already made the song mandatory in their respective state schools on Sep 7.

"Vande Mataram" was adopted as the national song at the Varanasi session of the All India Congress Committee on Sep 7, 1905. A section of Muslims consider the song un-Islamic.