The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Peace won’t be allowed to be disturbed’

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Tuesday, Mar 25, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Peace won’t be allowed to be disturbed’

Special Correspondent

Chairman of Mili Council discusses Muslims’ problems with S.M. Krishna

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Assurance: The former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna calling on Moulana Mufti Ashraf Ali (second from left), member, All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and chairman of the All-India Mili Council, in Bangalore on Monday.

Bangalore: S.M. Krishna, chairman of the Election Management and Coordination Committee of the Congress, here on Monday assured the minorities, particularly Muslims, that no part of Karnataka would be allowed to become another Ayodhya, and that all efforts would be made to maintain peace and tranquillity in the State.

The former Chief Minister gave the assurance to Moulana Mufti Ashraf Ali, member, All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and chairman of the All-India Mili Council at the Dar-ul-uloom Sablur Rashad Arabic College in the presence of a large number of Muslim leaders and students.

As part of his programme to meet Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other religious leaders across the State and to fulfil the mandate given to him by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to re-assure all sections of people that communal harmony would be maintained, Mr. Krishna met Mr. Ali and listened to the demands of the Muslim community for about 30 minutes.

Mr. Ali, who postponed his visit to Lucknow to meet Mr. Krishna, told him how Muslims were scared of the arrests of their youth studying in professional colleges across the State.

He also told him how Muslims were put to a lot of hardship in Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Hubli and other areas.

The Muslim leader sought Mr. Krishna’s help for maintaining communal harmony in Chikmagalur district and allow both Hindu and Muslim devotees to visit the Bababudangiri/Datta Peetha shrine.

He also requested Mr. Krishna to ensure that representation was given to Muslims while distributing ticket for the Assembly elections.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Krishna said his visit and assurances to Mr. Ali were not an election gimmick. B.A. Hasanabba, former MLC, and N.A. Harris told him that Muslim youths who were taken into custody in the name of tackling terrorism had not been released for two to three months, which had affected their education.

Congress leaders Salim Ahmed and Prakash Rathod were among the party leaders present.

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