IANS

Kochi, Jul 22: The Kerala High Court on Friday ruled that there was nothing wrong in 11 Muslim legislators of the state assembly taking their oath in the name of Allah.

Judges K.S. Radhakrishnan and B. Ramkumar dismissed a petition filed by Yuva Morcha state vice-president Madhu Parimala, who claimed that taking oath in Allah’s name was unconstitutional.

‘In Arabic Allah means God and taking oath in the name of ‘Allah’ is just like taking the oath in the name of God, so there is nothing wrong,’ ruled the bench.

Speaking to IANS, Congress legislator C.P. Mohammed said the paper given to read out the oath gave two options, oath in the name of God or a solemn pledge.

‘I took the oath in the name of God and I don’t think there is anything wrong in it,’ said Mohammed.

Among those who took the oath in the name of Allah were seven legislators from the Indian Union Muslim League, two from the Congress and two Left Democratic Front-supported independents.