The Hindu : Marad issue: `Govt. cannot shirk its duty'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Marad issue: `Govt. cannot shirk its duty'

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 10. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State secretary and Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, has said that his party had not issued any ultimatum to rehabilitate the families displaced from Marad after the May 2 violence, but at the same time, the Government cannot shirk its responsibility of rehabilitating them.

Addressing a press conference here on his arrival from the U.K. today, Mr. Kunhalikutty `corrected' his party MLA, P.K.K. Bava's `position' by stating that he had merely highlighted the plight of the displaced Muslim families and the fact that voluntary agencies would have to undertake the rehabilitation if the Government initiative got delayed.

Appealing to all sections and political parties to view the IUML's position positively, Mr. Kunhalikutty said his party had taken the view that firm and punitive action should be adopted against those behind the killings. It was totally unfair to blame the entire Muslim community just because a few misguided elements belonging to the community were involved in the violence.

Choosing his words carefully on a horde of questions relating to Marad and communal tensions, Mr. Kunhalikutty said the party was observing restraint and did not believe in getting its way through force. ``What is required in Marad is a healing touch. Even while demanding the rehabilitation of the dislocated families, we are not shutting our eyes to the pain suffered by those who lost their kin in the brutal killings,'' he remarked.

Mr. Kunhalikutty expressed reservations at the ``soft approach'' towards the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Praveen Togadia. Asked whether Mr. Togadia should be arrested for his inflammatory statements, the IUML leader said the situation in Kerala was totally different compared to other parts of the country.

``Statements supportive of people like Mr. Togadia and their agenda are made knowingly or unknowingly. The language spoken by the IUML and other parties is totally different compared to that of the VHP and others,'' he observed.

Mr. Kunhalikutty denied that the party was putting pressure on the UDF. ``We are ruling under the UDF umbrella and decisions are taken collectively,'' he said. He said the IUML appreciated the stand taken by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, K. Muraleedharan, in attacking the BJP. ``Mr. Muraleedharan has spoken in a manner which behoved a leader heading a secular party. The onus is on the Congress to react to such issues. As far as the Chief Minister is concerned, he has the limitations imposed by his office.'' Reacting to a question on Mr. Antony's statement on communal issues, Mr. Kunhalikutty said he did not subscribe to the view that Mr. Antony was trying to create a communal divide.

In reply to another question, he said it was the responsibility of the Government to take steps to remove social and economic inequalities in society. Some sections would have made headway as traders, others in the field of education, while a few other communities might not have adequate representation in Government service.

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