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Shahabuddin opposes celebration of Ananda Math anniversary

Former member of Parliament Syed Shahabuddin has written to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee questioning the government's move to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the publication of the Ananda Math, a novel ''rabidly communal in theme and content.''

''As you are aware, the national song Vande Mataram consists of only the first two stanzas of the song included in Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay's novel Ananda Math, and that too as a composition in itself and not in the context of the novel which is rabidly communal in theme and content,'' the letter claimed.

Shahabuddin said it was beyond his understanding how Union Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Ananth Kumar had decided to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the publication of the novel with speeches, youth rallies and essay competitions throughout the country and a march on the midnight of December 31 and January 1.

''The campaign is misconceived and calculated to redefine patriotism in Hindu terms and separate the Muslim youth from the process of national integration,'' Shahabuddin said.

UNI

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