Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore

Mangalore, Apr 18: “We condemn the act of religious leaders poking their nose in political matters,” said T M Shaheed, Congress leader, member of Coir Board, Government of Karnataka, addressing a press meet held at Woodlands on Wednesday April 17.

“There are two groups in the Muslim community—A P Aboobaker Musliyar group and the E K Aboobaker Musliyar group. A P Aboobaker Musliyar has been to Delhi and contacted the Congress high command about the election ticket to Moideen Bawa of Congress. The interference of religious leaders in political matters is not acceptable,” he said.

“The Congress leaders have not contacted the Mangalore Qazi in this regard, which itself is a major backdrop to the party. The E K group has the highest number of Islamic ‘madrasas’, Arabic ‘madrasas’ and universities. But the A P group has consulted the high command and spread wrong information that they have the highest number of ‘madrasas’ and population,” alleged Shaheed.

“Diverting people with wrong information and facts is highly condemnable. The whole of the E K group is against these kind activities by religious leaders,” he added.

“Another leader of the A P group is Shafi Shazi, who is an agent of BJP minister R Ashok. They are funding the SDPI candidates to divide the Muslim votes, to grant victory to the BJP. All these activities are not acceptable,” he said.

Shareef was also present on the occasion.