Kerala polls: IUML should not have fielded women, says Samastha
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Malappuram: Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama leader Mukkam Umar Faizi on Saturday said that the IUML should not have fielded women candidates from general seats in the Assembly polls, PTI reported.
Kerala will go to the polls on April 9.
Speaking to a TV channel, Faizi said women candidates should have been fielded only from seats reserved for them.
The Islamic scholar said that when more seats were proposed to be reserved for women, the Indian Union Muslim League had discussed the issue with Samastha and sought its views.
Samastha, a body of Islamic scholars, had told the IUML that while women could be fielded from reserved seats, they need not be considered for general seats, he said.
He further said there have now been changes in the IUML, which had earlier followed the advice given by Samastha.
"The current stance of the IUML on the issue is not in conformity with the principles of Samastha," Faizi said.
He contended that at the time, the IUML had sought Samastha's views as it was apprehensive that increased reservation for women could reduce men's participation in governance.
"So, Samastha had given its approval with the understanding that there are enough competent men and that they should contest from general seats," Faizi said.
On the IUML fielding two women candidates from general seats, Faizi said it would be better if the party adhered to Samastha's position, as a majority of the Muslim community aligned with the scholar body.
"So, it is not befitting for a Muslim organisation to take a stand contrary to the view of the community," he said.
Fathima Thahiliya, a Youth League leader, has been fielded from Perambra in Kozhikode district, while Jayanthi Rajan, a non-Muslim woman, will contest from Koothuparamba in Kannur district.