THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The trend of secular parties branding each other as communal is unbecoming of responsible politics, Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) state general secretary Kanthapuram A P Abdul Hakkim Azhari has said.
The SYS leader was speaking to reporters here on Sunday on the sidelines of the culmination of the ‘Manava Sancharam’ rally taken out by the youth organisation.
Azhari called for more vigil in tackling communalism and also advised caution on the part of secular parties in ensuring that hatred and mistrust is not sown by their ranks. The SYS leader said religious interference in politics and political interference in religion would lead to unnecessary controversies.
“Even while indulging in healthy fights as part of electoral politics, secular parties should uphold the idea behind the Congress-led INDIA bloc that was formed at the national level to tackle communalism,” Azhari said.
He also demanded intervention by the government in the Waqf issue while ensuring that the people who are affected do not end up in misery. Strong laws should be enacted that check hate speech by people, including community leaders.
The ‘Manava Sancharam’ rally led by Azhari received a rousing reception at the state capital where it culminated at Kanakakunnu grounds on Sunday. MPs Shashi Tharoor and A A Rahim, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and CPM leader Kadakampally Suredran were among those who were present.
General Education Minister V Sivankutty inaugurated the valedictory function at Nishagandhi Auditorium. Discussions were also held as part of Manava Sancharam in which youth leaders, entrepreneurs and mediapersons participated.
SYS leaders also visited the Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode near here and interacted with ashram head Gururatnam Njana Thapaswi. They also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister incorporating the ideas and suggestions evolved during the discussions held as part of ‘Manava Sancharam’.