Thiruvananthapuram: The newly consecrated Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya will strengthen secularism in the country, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Kerala president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said.
There is no need to protest against the temple in Ayodhya as it became a reality because of the demand by the majority of the people in the country, the leader of IUML, which is the second biggest ally of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, has clarified his opinion on the controversial issue in a public meeting.
The IUML leader's comment became viral on social media after a week, as he said this in his party's meeting at Pulpata Panchayat on January 24, just two days after Prime Minister Narendra presided over the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
"The demand for a temple is from the majority of the people in the country. There is no need to protest against it. The temple that came into existence in the context of the Supreme Court verdict and the Babri Masjid that is going to be built as part of the verdict. We cannot go back from it. Both of these are great examples of strengthening India's secularism. We should imbibe it."
"In a pluralistic society, everyone has their own beliefs, traditions, rituals, and customs. The country is free to proceed accordingly," he added.
"We know that Babri Masjid was destroyed by Karsevaks. We had protested at that time. But, Indian Muslims were able to face it with tolerance, especially in Kerala. The Muslims of Kerala were able to set an example for the entire country," he said.
Responding to the controversy over the IUML leader's comment, IUML MLA PK Kunhalikutty said the speech is aimed at maintaining communal harmony in society. However, political opponents are misusing and misinterpreting the content of the speech to creating trouble, he added.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader VD Satheesan (Congress) said the IUML leader was trying to maintain communal harmony in society, responding to the BJP agenda of dividing people on communal basis.
But the BJP in Kerala is yet to respond to the controversial statement by the IUML leader creating confusion among the Opposition Congress party and its alliance partners just before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country.