Kanthapuram wing slams Congress, IUML for silence on hijab row

MALAPPURAM: The Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musaliyar has launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership for their silence over the ongoing hijab controversy. In a strongly worded article in Siraj Daily, SYS general secretary Rahmatulla Saqafi Elamaram accused senior Congress leaders of turning a blind eye to what he called a blatant denial of the Muslim communitys fundamental rights. Saqafi alleged that Congress MP Hibi Eden had even threatened the parents of the student at the centre of the dispute and asked the child to go to school without wearing a hijab. He also criticised IUML for remaining silent on the issue for three days. In contrast, Saqafi praised state Education Minister V Sivankutty for taking a firm stand in support of the students right to wear the hijab. Hibi Eden expressed his political sense that if he tries to persuade the school authorities to back down from their stance, it will gain more votes for BJP. Not a single Congressman spoke out against the violation of rights faced by a thirteen-year-old girl, the article said. Saqafi further questioned the Congress leadership in Kerala for failing to emulate the stance of their counterparts in Karnataka. Is Hibi Eden leading MPs and others with the notion that it is solely the Muslim communitys responsibility to be vigilant and prevent the spread of communalism? he asked. Taking a direct swipe at IUML, he wrote, The Muslim League observed a three-day fast of silence. Finally, P K Kunhalikutty came forward with a statement saying that a Muslim student had to abandon her studies while Sivankutty was the Education Minister. Even then, vote-bank politics took precedence over rights politics. He concluded by lauding Sivankuttys stance that Education Minister Sivankutty spoke with his head high. Politics is about standing up for justice and fairness.