Kerala: A number of Kerala-based Muslim bodies have taken a strong objection to a statement made by the Minister for Cooperation and Registration in Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), V N Vasavan that the Pala bishop is a “scholar” and those opposing him are “militants”.
The remarks of a Catholic Church priest Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt’s that “jihadis” were trying to destroy non-Muslims through “love jihad” and “narcotic jihad”, sparked controversy among various political and religious organizations.
At a meeting inaugurated by Thazhathangady Imam Ellavupalam Shamsudheen Mannani on Saturday, the Kottayam Taluk Mahallu Muslim Coordination Committee hit out at Vasavan over his remark and said that it was an insult to those opposed to the bishop’s statement.
The committee slammed CPM for supporting the bishop. CPM’s statements warning of deliberate efforts by communal forces to lure professional college students for extremist purposes makes the party more dangerous than BJP, it pointed out.
The meeting urged the government to take immediate action against those propagating hatred, the committee said.
After meeting the bishop on Friday, Vasavan had said that he is a “scholarly person” and “militants” are trying to stir up a controversy over his ‘narcotic jihad’ remark.
On Sunday, the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, a supreme body of Islamic scholars of Kerala, stated that the government should not back statements that trigger communal sentiments.
Samastha leader Sayyid Muhammad Jifri Muthukkoya Thangal said that religious heads should keep from statements that could hurt religious sentiments.
All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar also demanded that the bishop withdraw his statement.
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