Lucknow, August 12: Uttar Pradesh’s Shia Waqf Board chief Waseem Rizvi made it mandatory to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ after Independence Day celebrations at all waqf properties. Rizvi issued a letter in this regard on Saturday and said Muslims should have no problem with the slogan when they refer to India as Madr-e-Watan (motherland).

“Independence Day celebrations are held annually in every school, college and madrassa, which includes hoisting of the national flag followed by recital of the national anthem. Ensure that after national anthem those present chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ as it is slogan of India’s freedom and goes with Independence Day celebrations,” the letter issued by the Shia Waqf Board chief reads.

Rizvi holds caretakers and management committees of the properties under the Shia Waqf Board responsible to implement his directive. “It makes no sense when people say they will not chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai but claim that India is their Madr-e-Watan,” he was quoted as saying.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 12, 2018 01:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).