Various political groups are wrestling with the interpretation of Thangal’s comments and assessing the potential repercussions on the political scenario in Kerala.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI- In a recent statement, Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state President, has stirred controversy by expressing the view that there is no need to protest against the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Thangal suggested that both the new temple and the proposed mosque would contribute to strengthening secularism in the country.
The IUML is a significant ally of the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala and holds influence among the Muslim community.
Thangal made these remarks during an event on January 24 at Manjeri, and a video of his statement went viral recently. He acknowledged the reality of the Ram temple, stating, “We cannot go back from that. There is no need for us to protest against it. The temple came up based on a court order, and the Babri Masjid is about to be constructed. These two are now part of India. The Ram temple and the proposed Babri Masjid are two best examples that strengthen secularism in our country.”
The Indian National League (INL), a coalition partner of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala, criticized Thangal’s statement. N K Abdul Azeez, an INL Kerala State Secretariat Member, expressed in a Facebook post that political leaders should be aware of the distinction between Gandhi’s Ram Rajya and the RSS’s version. He suggested that IUML’s ordinary party workers might not accept this position.
However, the Congress party and IUML defended Thangal’s statement, asserting that he aimed to prevent any campaign of hatred and attempts to divide society. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and senior IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty came out in support of Thangal, stating that his words were misinterpreted.
Kunhalikutty argued that Thangal was cautioning people against falling into the trap of politicizing the Ayodhya issue, emphasizing that the BJP was attempting to exploit the situation. Satheesan noted that Thangal’s statement was aimed at countering the campaign of hatred and division, emphasizing the need to understand the context behind his remarks.
