Ranchi, Sept 2 (ZEENEWS.COM) A Muslim religious body in Jharkhand today urged the BJP-led NDA government in the state not to give the 'Vande Mataram' issue a political colour.

General secretary of Edara-E-Sharia Moulana Quttubiddin Rizvi told reporters here there were better issues like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment to deal with and "giving it a political colour will only spoil young minds who are the future of our nation."

Rendition of 'Vande Mataram' during its centenary celebration on September 7 should not be a yardstick to judge one's patriotism, he said.

"Rendition of the national song should not be equated with patriotism of Muslims who have always been honest in their duty towards the nation," Rizvi said.

Reacting to the BJP's assertion to make the national song mandatory in all educational institutions on September 7, Rizvi said the forum would wait till September 5 before issuing any diktat to their community whether to be present in the educational institutions on that day or not.

"We will meet Governor Syed Sibtey Razi to give a memorandum requesting him not to impose it. If necessary, we will also meet Chief Minsiter Arjun Munda," he said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda yesterday said rendition of 'Vande Mataram' should be mandatory in all educational institutions in the state as it is a national song.

Meanwhile, a national member of Bjp's minority cell Mohammad Rizwan Khan said about 500 members from the minority community would congregate at the busy Elbert Ekka Chowk on September 7 to render Vande Mataram.