THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is set for a major overhaul, with a change of its flag also being a possibility. The Muslim Youth League (MYL) leaders have come out with the suggestion that the party, which they believe is set to make a major foray into the north Indian states, must rework on the flag, especially the “Pakistani” effect on it.
One other major reason for thinking of a change of flag is the public interest litigation filed in Supreme Court by Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Wakf Board chairman Syed Waseem Rizvi. He had said there was nothing Islamic in the flag which resembles that of Pakistani Muslim League. The apex court has sought the Central Government’s view on it.
Rizwi termed hoisting of such flags “un-Islamic” and added it had resulted in communal clashes in several parts of the country. IUML state secretary Abdurahiman Randathani told Express: “Syed Rizvi is a Shia cleric who has called to build Ram Temple after demolishing Babri Masjid. He has also asked to ban madrasas across the country stating they teach terrorism and communalism. His opinion must be rejected outright.”
‘We have never thought of changing IUML flag’
Muslim Youth League (MYL), led by state president Munavar Ali Shihab Thangal, will conduct a yatra from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram from November 24 to December 24. In the public programme held in Kannur to announce it, the green flag was seen missing while the dais was full of red colour. MYL state general secretary P K Firoz, however, denied the allegation and said the green colour was prominent.
In a related incident, at the national executive in Thiruvananthapuram, delegates were received with red garlands instead of green.
At a recent meeting at the League House in Kozhikode, a firebrand leader of its student wing MSF told on the face of a senior leader that the party has to change the flag, in green colour with crescent and star, as it has a resemblance to that of Pakistan Muslim League.
ET Mohammed Basheer MP, who is the IUML national organising secretary, denied any change of party flag. “These are mere rumours. Party has never thought of such a move and the League has been part of the Union Government for 10 years and had produced a Chief Minister in Kerala. We have been using this flag all these years, so what’s the need for a change now?” he asked.
A senior MYL leader on condition of anonymity confirmed “Youth League is for a change of its flag which may be extended to the IUML also” while a senior MLA of the party said, “an MYL leader has given three different designs, but no decision has been taken yet”.