By IANS,
New Delhi : The Congress Wednesday criticised the 'fatwa' against the state's all-girl rock band and supported the Jammu and Kashmir government's stand.
"The state government has taken correct steps," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters here.
Stating that the 'fatwa' against the girls' band was a "serious" issue, Alvi said, "There could be no restrictions on an individual's freedom of expression."
"India is a secular country. There is freedom to preach any religion but it cannot be imposed on anybody," said Alvi.
Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-din Ahmed, head of the Muslim clergy in Kashmir, issued a 'fatwa' (religious decree) Sunday asking the parents of the three girls who formed the rock band to impart religious education to their daughters. He labelled the girls' performance as "a shameful act".