Agra: Fifty-four pro-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Muslims were excommunicated and their marriages nullified by a local Mufti after they reportedly expressed the view that singing of national song 'Vande Mataram' was not un-Islamic, a 'fatwa' that has sent ripples in the community in Agra.

While issuing the 'fatwa', Mufti Abdul Quddus Rumi declared that singing of the national song "would lead them (Muslims) to hell".

It was wrong for Muslims to sing 'Vande Mataram', the Mufti said, adding those advocating the song were deviating from the religion.

The 'fatwa' also nullifies the wedding of those excommunicated.

Muslims who made statements in favour of the national song should offer prayers to renew their faith in Islam and remarry according to Islamic rites, he said.

Among those excommunicated were Mutwallis (masjid heads) of the Loha Mandi and Shaheed Nagar mosques, where a group of pro-BJP Muslims had said that the song praised the motherland and did not mask any religious sentiments.

Of the 54 persons who were excommunicated, 13 had asked for forgiveness.