IUML sees 'no change' in DMK attitude

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 6. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) sees ``no change'' in the ruling DMK's attitude towards the minorities in Tamil Nadu after the Dravidian party aligned with the BJP, but feels more positive steps are called for to restore the ``old bon homie''.

With the IUML's National leadership firmly drawing a line against having any truck with parties which have tied up with the `communal' BJP, the IUML State president, Mr. K. M. Khader Mohideen today said they had no option but to be ``away from the DMK''.

Mr. Mohideen, who along with the IUML's State general secretary, Mr. K. A. Abdul Wahab, had a meeting with the DMK president and Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, at the latter's residence here, said their ``only grievance'' against the DMK was its alliance with the BJP.

While the IUML here will continue to be with the TMC, Mr. Mohideen, later told TheHindu, that his party really had ``no enemies'' in Tamil Nadu, as ``we have a policy of equi-distance from every political party.''

In the recent debate over the Ayodhya issue in Parliament, Mr. Mohideen claimed, that at the end of the day, even the BJP was veering round to the IUML's view that only the court verdict could settle the dispute. In that context, the DMK's response to the issue was 'satisfactory', he said.

Insisting that there was no political significance to his meeting with Mr. Karunanidhi today, Mr. Mohideen said, it was to explain some problems faced by the Muslims in certain parts of Tamil Nadu. The IUML has given a memorandum on these issues to the Chief Minister.

Referring to some recent incidents like ``anti-socials'' occupying a common paddy threshing floor in a Muslim-dominated village of S.Tharaikudi in Ramanathapuram district and tension involving Dalits and Muslims in Tiruvannamalai, Mr. Mohideen said he had urged the Chief Minister to take steps to sort out the issues quickly.

Expediting construction of the Urdu Academy and taking impartial action in the case concerning a bomb attack on a mosque in Palayamkottai were among the other issues he discussed with Mr. Karunanidhi, said the IUML leader.

Mr. Mohideen said the IUML was planning a `unity march' from Rameswaram to Tiruchi from February 1. He wanted the Government to do ``something positive'' on the plea for a separate reservation for minorities under the Most Backward category.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Rice stocks mounting in FCI godowns
Next     : Time-table for Plus Two exam released