Muslim bodies demand police action in Igoor mosque case

Condemning the delay in arresting the people involved in burning of Qur’an at Igoor mosque at Somwarpet taluk recently, Kodagu Zilla Muslim Samaj has warned of severe protests. Setting a deadline of one week for the police to nab the culprits, the Samaj has warned of putting up a show of strength by organising a mammoth convention of 25,000 people, followed by ‘Vidhana Soudha Chalo’ in the coming days.

Addressing the protest meet, organised opposite Gandhi Mantapa here, working president of Samaj, P M Khasim said, “While a mosque was stoned in Kushalnagar two months ago, a car belonging to a community leader was also damaged in stoning, yet there is no action by the district police. Saying that the police authorities have refused to give consent, thus thwarting their plans to organise a massive protest meet, Khasim said ‘We were not born in Pakistan, and have equal rights in India’.

Without taking names of any organisations, Khasim who likened the situation to attempts to stone honeycomb, warned against testing the patience of peace-loving community. He also expressed his anguish over District Minister M R Seetharam and MLC Veena Achaiah for not visiting the mosque even after several days of the incident.

Some of the agitators said the community will stay away during next general elections, as some of the Congress party leaders are refusing to sympathise with muslims. If situation remains the same, day would not be far when all the leaders from community serving in the party as office-bearers will step down from the same. Another leader Majeed alleged that the community is being denied of the right to hold peaceful protest. If any attempts are made to dilute the movements, we will give a fitting reply.

Majeed also accused deputy commissioner of not even showing courtesy to speak, when they went to seek his permission for the protest. General secretary of Samaj K H Abdul Majeed suspected the handiwork of those who killed Mahatma Gandhi and litterateur M M Kalburgi, behind Qur’an incident.

Former MLA K M Ibrahim said the struggle is aimed at forcing the police to arrest the miscreants behind the incidents, but not against any particular community or caste. City Municipal Council member Ameen Mohsin, Congress labour cell president V P Shashidhar, A B Ummar, K A  Yaqub, Nasir Makki, Kunhi Abdulla, Abdul Rehman, Mansoor Napoklu, Hamsa Kottamudi, Khalid Hakattur among others were present.