Left can't ensure minority protection that Congress committed to IUML: Sadiq Ali Thangal
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In the prevailing political scenario, where the BJP with its RSS ideology is trying to infiltrate the Kerala populace and creating divisions among different denominations of minorities, the IUML Kerala president, Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Thangal, rejected the Left front projecting itself as the guardian of the minority community while endorsing the party’s commitment with the Congress to strengthen the secular credentials of the country.
Sadiq Ali Thangal made this clear in an interview given to The Indian Express, where he also emphasized the need to strengthen the dogma of pluralism vis-à-vis issues between Muslims and Christians through discussions and dialogue.
In response to the Congress' vague stance on the implementation of the CAA by the BJP government, which was criticized by many leaders, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who labelled it as the party's 'pro-Sangh Parivar' stand, Thangal clarified that while the Congress may not have explicitly included its stance on the CAA in its manifesto, its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have publicly vowed to oppose the law.
While the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has opposed the CAA, the Congress's silence on the issue has drawn criticism from the ranks of IUML.
Thangal further asserted that the Congress's historical opposition to legislation like the CAA is indicative of its commitment to secularism.
The CPI(M)'s attempts to court Muslim voters by fielding candidates acceptable to pro-IUML organizations have also raised eyebrows within the UDF. Despite these overtures, Thangal reaffirmed IUML's unwavering allegiance to the Congress, emphasizing the latter's national reach and its pivotal role in leading an alliance against the BJP.
As Kerala gears up for what is deemed a crucial election, Thangal underscored the significance of minority representation in shaping the country's political landscape. He criticized the BJP-led government for its divisive policies and called for unity among marginalized communities to counteract the forces of communalism.
Addressing recent controversies, including IUML flags being omitted at Rahul Gandhi's roadshow and the screening of 'The Kerala Story' by the Catholic Church to raise awareness against 'love jihad,' Thangal reiterated the importance of unity among minorities in the face of growing communal tensions fueled by the Sangh Parivar.
However, Thangal's earlier call for restraint within the Muslim community regarding protests against the Ayodhya Ram Temple consecration had drawn criticism from some quarters. Nevertheless, he defended IUML's stance, emphasizing the need for harmony and dialogue in resolving contentious issues.