The Hindu : Karunakaran defends IUML

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Karunakaran defends IUML

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 8. The senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, today strongly defended the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), by stating that he did not hold the view that the party was involved in the Marad violence in any manner.

In an informal chat with mediapersons soon after returning from Delhi, Mr. Karunakaran said that when the entire country was gripped by violence in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition, the IUML had tread the middle path. The party had played a valid role in maintaining communal harmony. The bold positions of the IUML president, Panakkad Sayyed Mohammedali Sihab Thangal, and his supporters had gone a long way in fostering communal amity in the State during those testing days, he said and added that he had a clear cut perception about the IUML as the person who was responsible in bringing that party into the UDF fold.

When asked for his views about the Chief Minister's statement attributing political motives in the attempts to isolate the IUML, Mr. Karunakaran said that the need of the hour was not to isolate the IUML, but make earnest efforts to find a solution in the aftermath of the Marad violence. He also welcomed the Government decision to order a judicial inquiry.

When asked for his comment on the allegation that the UDF leadership had adopted a communal appeasement policy, Mr. Karunakaran said that no political party in Kerala could wriggle out of its responsibility of hobnobbing with extremist outfits. Instead of mixing politics with such issues, it would be better to work towards maintaining communal harmony.

Mr. Karunakaran said that he was not for any controversy over the Marad issue. He had his own views about the developments there. But this was not the time to debate them. In reply to a question, he said it was hard to believe Mr. Antony's statement that all those behind the Marad violence would be booked, especially in the light of previous experiences. Mr. Karunakaran also criticised the DGP, K.J. Joseph, for his observations that the Marad violence was not a communal clash. If he had such a view, it was his responsibility to convey it to the Chief Minister.

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