Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 11: The state government, which had denied permission to scholar, Dr Zakir Naik's programme that was proposed to be held in the city during December last, has again struck down a proposal to hold this programme during this month.

Dr Naik's programme had been slated to be held at Nehru Maidan here on December 27, but the city police commissioner had requested the organizers to put off the programme in view of legislative council election. The date of the programme was changed to January 2, but Vishwa Hindu Parishat leaders had expressed opposition to the programme.

It is said that when a delegation of South Karnataka Salafi Movement, which had sought to organize the programme, met the home minister then to impress upon him to grant permission, the delegation membrs were told that necessary permission would be granted to hold the programme during March this year in view of zilla and taluk panchayat elections scheduled during February.

The delegation went to Bengaluru again recently and sought permission from the chief minister and home minister for the said programme, placing before them a plan to hold the said programme during April. They were told that permission cannot be granted because of opposition from some Muslim leaders from Congress party, intelligence inputs, advice of the chief minster's adviser, etc.

Vice president of South Karnataka Salafi Movement's central committee, Ismail Shaffi, has termed this as an insult to the constitution of the country as this has robbed Muslims of their religious freedom. He further said that the chief minister and home minister, who had in the past promised to give permission to hold this programme, have betrayed the trust reposed on them by Muslims.