Updated: September 19, 2020 7:59:32 am
With Congress and its ally Indian Union Muslim League mounting their protests against Jaleel, the ICC (M) secretary of state, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in his weekly column in the party daily Deshabhimani, called the protest against the minister of state and the government of the LDF as a Qur’an Agitation ”. (Source: Twitter / @ b_kodiyeri)
One day after the National Investigation Agency questioned Kerala’s Minister of Higher Education KT Jaleel in relation to the gold smuggling case, on Friday the CPI (M) referred to the Opposition’s protest against him as an “anti-Quran” agitation.
Investigations into gold smuggling by multiple agencies have revealed that Jaleel had accepted religious texts and food kits from the UAE Consulate, bypassing the rules of protocol and without obtaining tax exemption from the state.
The shipments were taken in a government vehicle to a private religious institute in Malappuram for distribution at the minister’s behest, despite the institute not submitting any requests. Investigating agencies suspect the presence of contraband in the shipment, as key defendant Swapna Suresh was also aware of these shipments.
With Congress and its ally Indian Union Muslim League mounting their protests against Jaleel, the ICC (M) secretary of state, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in his weekly column in the party daily Deshabhimani, called the protest against the minister of state and the government of the LDF as a Qur’an Agitation ”.
“IUML is adding fire to RSS’s anti-Quran agitation. Congress will also be with IUML at that event. We oppose agitation against the Koran on the grounds that no religious text should be mocked, ”he wrote.
Speaking after the meeting of the CPI (M) secretariat, Balakrishnan also rejected the Opposition’s demand for Jaleel’s resignation.
The Opposition has rejected Balakrishnan’s charges and accused the LDF of communalizing the issue.
The president of the state of Congress, Mullappally Ramachandran, said: “The government has lost face. Using the Koran for political purposes is dangerous. “
IUML National Secretary General PK Kunhalikutty said the CPI (M) and Jaleel should respond to the allegations related to gold smuggling.
BJP head of state K Surendran said: “CPI (M) is trying to project Jaleel as the symbol of a religion. He’s communalizing the problem. “
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay up to date with the latest headlines
For the latest news about India, download the Indian Express app.
.
