KOZHIKODE: The intervention by LDF MLA K T Jaleel to release an activist of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), a feeder organisation of the Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, from the Valancheri police station has triggered a political discussion.
Aslaf Yamani was summoned to the station on a complaint related to the incidents that occurred at Makazu Tharbiyyathul Islam at Valanchery last Monday. A group of Wafi-Wafiyya students and their parents blocked Samastha secretary M T Abdulla Musaliyar, demanding the students be allowed to complete education under the current syllabus.
Valancheri Markaz, which is under the Samastha, had decided to discontinue the Wafy-Wafiyya syllabus offered by the Coordination of Islamic Colleges (CIC).
Abdulla Musaliyar told the parents that the students can continue their education under a new system introduced by Samastha, which is ‘equal to or better’ than the Wafy-Wafiyya. But the parents insisted that the students admitted to Wafy-Wafiyya courses should be allowed to pursue the system. Finally, police had to intervene to disperse the crowd.
Yamani was called to the police station on a complaint related to an alleged scuffle during the ruckus. SKSSF alleged that he was made to wait at the station for hours. Syed Abdurashid Ali Shihab Thangal, president of the SKSSF Malappuram West unit, said in a Facebook post that the sub-inspector told that there was “pressure from above” not to release Yamani. He was released on bail after the discussions Jaleel had with the officials.
The incident has opened a political debate involving the CPM and the IUML. The CIC group said Jaleel’s intervention has unravelled the ‘CPM agenda’ in the Samastha-CIC issue. But the SKSSF alleged that the IUML leadership was not ready to help Yamani though he was a party worker. It finds nothing wrong in seeking the help of Jaleel, who is a people’s representative, from the area.
K T Jaleel told TNIE that he intervened in the issue to ensure justice. “Yamani is a staunch IUML worker as evident from his Facebook posts. My house is in Valanchery and people associated with Yamani sought my help,” he said.
Meanwhile, some parents of the Wafy-Wafiyya students are planning to seek legal remedy for the “denial of educational rights”. They believe that Valanchery Markaz’s refusal to continue the course amounts to a breach of the agreement.
At the same time, Samastha and its feeder organisations have condemned the ‘highhandedness’ towards their senior leader Abdulla Musaliyar.