Cong leader C.M. Ibrahim hails cow slaughter ban

Hubli (Karnataka) :Even as his party goes against it at hammer and tongs, Congress leader C.M. Ibrahim has welcomed the ban on cow slaughter Saturday.

His statement came when Oppostion leader Siddaramaiah launched a broadside against the ruling BJP's plan to ban cow slaughter.

Ibrahim appealed, taking to media, to Muslims to shun eating beef and demanded BJP to set up 'Goushalas' (cow shelters) at panchayat level instead of the proposed taluka level.

"As a Muslim, I strongly feel that our community should not indulge in any activity that hurts the religious sentiments of Hindu majority in the country. Muslim community must realise it and shun eating beef," he said in response to a question.

Ibrahim who is on a statewide tour to meet his friends and supporters before taking a final call to quit Congress and join Janata Dal(S).

Ibrahim said he was "ill-treated" and "ignored" by the party and his friend and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Last week, Karnataka Congress Committee president, D.K. Shivakumar met Ibrahim to dissuade him from quitting Congress.

But instead Ibrahim met JD(S) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda and his son, H.D. Kumarswamy at their house the next day, sending strong signal of quitting.

But Siddaramaiah obliquely said in Mysuru none was indispensable for the party. "People and 'leaders' need Congress to survive. Congress has survived and seen many desertions in the past," he said. He did not mention anyone's name in his response to a question.

IANS report with edits