Congress party is neglecting Muslims: R. Roshan Baig
Lok Sabha Election
Bengaluru: It was the Congress' tradition to give three tickets to Muslim candidates in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. But this time, the party has given only one ticket, former minister R. Roshan Baig expressed outrage.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said Congress used to give tickets to Muslim candidates at Gulbarga, Dharwad and Bengaluru districts. Muslims had demanded ticket for Bidar constituency when Gulbarga became a reserved constituency," he said.
"The party kept on denying Muslim candidates by giving illogical reasons. It seems that the Congress is proceeding towards bringing the Muslim leadership to an end," he alleged.
He accused that due to the failure of KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao and senior leader Siddaramaiah's leadership, Muslims had to face this injustice.
Muslim Free Congress: Congress party is constantly neglecting Muslims. If we observe this, a suspicion arises that whether Congress is hatching a conspiracy to make the party free from Muslims," Baig noted.
During the recent convention of AICC president Rahul Gandhi in the city, banners carried the posters of JDS chief Devegowda, CM Kumaraswamy, Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundurao. However, there was no photo of Muslim leaders, he added.
I will write a letter to Rahul Gandhi asking why Congress is neglecting Muslims. Also, I will mention about the working style of the Congress' state in-charge KC Venugopal, in the letter. In Tamil Nadu too, Congress used to give One ticket to a Muslim candidate. But, there also no ticket has been issued to the Muslims this time.
No ticket for Christians as well: A ticket was also being given to the Christian community. But this time, Christians have also not given tickets. Following which, former minister J. Alexander has resigned from the Congress. Besides, former MP HT. Sangliana is also tendering his resignation, Roshan Baig informed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP responsible for Sabarimala women entry verdict, LDF's stand same as 2007 affidavit: Min Vasavan
Kottayam (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Saturday blamed the BJP for the 2018 Supreme Court verdict permitting women's entry into Sabarimala and said the LDF government's current stand remains the same as the affidavit filed before the apex court in 2007.
He was responding to reporters' queries regarding the affidavit to be filed by the state government before the nine-member bench of the Supreme Court clarifying its position on the entry of women of menstruating age into the hill shrine.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the Supreme Court.
"We had filed an affidavit in 2007 stating that the issue should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters. We are still maintaining that stand," he said.
The Supreme Court has not sought the state government's position on women's entry now, but has asked for clarification on certain constitutional issues, he added.
"We have assigned the Advocate General and constitutional experts in the Supreme Court to give the reply. They will respond accordingly," the minister said.
He added that if the court seeks the state government's stand on the matter, it would be presented, noting that the LDF government had already stated its position in the affidavit filed in 2007.
"The party's (CPI-M) stand is the same as the government's. The government is with the devotees. We have always been with the devotees," he said.
The minister also criticised the opposition, alleging that they repeatedly approach courts on various issues and return with adverse responses.
"They go to court on several matters and come back with adverse responses. Has there been an opposition in Kerala that has faced so many setbacks from courts," he asked.
When asked about the state government’s actions in 2018 following the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, he said no such interpretation should be made as the government had already clarified its stand in the 2007 affidavit.
"If the Supreme Court gives any verdict, can we say anything against it. The women’s entry was the decision of the apex court of the country," he said.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the SC.
"They are now hiding. Actually they were standing for it. But here they are taking a different stand," he said.
He further alleged that attempts to facilitate women's entry in 2018 were made by BJP activists.
"It was BJP's young lawyers who filed the case and received the verdict. They then called it a historic judgement. But after some stage, they changed their position," he claimed.
He said the LDF government's position was that it respects the Supreme Court's verdict.
"But in our affidavit filed in 2007 we clearly stated that the entry of women of menstruating age should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters," he said.
He denied allegations that the state government had taken special interest in facilitating the entry of women of menstruating age into Sabarimala in 2018.
The Supreme Court in 2018 permitted women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple, following which Kerala witnessed widespread protests.
Currently, the Supreme Court is considering appeals against the earlier verdict.
