By Harsha Kumari Singh

September (Jaipur) The only BJP state that's still insisting that all schools and educational institutions make arrangements for the singing of the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram is Rajasthan.

Muslim organisations in the state are now on a collision course with the government.

Nine-year-old Nikhat comes for evening classes to study the Quran at the Madrassa Dar Al Qayoom.

In the morning she attends regular school, but Nikhat says despite the government order she will not sing Vande Mataram in her school with children from other communities.

"I like Sare Jahaan Se Achha much more. I will not sing Vande Mataram. My mother has forbidden it," said Nikhat.

Muslims upset

In madrassas across Rajasthan the Muslim clergy is upset over the government's insistence on singing Vande Mataram, they say they will publicly inform Muslims in the state, to boycott the song.

"We will not send our children to school on that day. If they insist further, we will boycott government schools. We cannot sing this song. In Islam we cannot bow before anybody but God. As far as patriotism is concerned, we are ready to die for our country," said Abdul Latif Qureshi, priest.

Muslim parents, who also send their children to regular schools, now find themselves in a dilemma. They blame political parties for trying to divide communities.

"Politicians want to polarise communities. India is one country where people from all religions live peacefully. Politicians thrive by creating differences," said Mohammad Zahoor, a parent.

But Rajasthan is the only BJP-ruled state insisting on all educational institutions making arrangements for the singing of Vande Mataram on September 7.

The government and Muslim community here now appears headed for a confrontation.