Kozhikode (Kerala), March 29 Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president Sayyid Muhammad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal on Sunday urged leaders to avoid making unnecessary statements that could drag the organization into political controversies.
His remarks came after Samastha leader Mukkam Umar Faizi recently criticised the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for fielding women candidates from general seats in the Assembly polls.
In a statement, Thangal said that in every election, it is up to the respective party leadership to decide on candidates, and they must weigh the pros and cons themselves. He also cautioned that those responsible should refrain from making such statements.
Kerala will go to the polls on April 9.
“Views of religion and political parties may differ on such matters,” he added.
Earlier, Faizi had told a news channel that women candidates should have been fielded only from seats reserved for them. He said that when the issue of increasing reservation for women was discussed, the IUML had sought Samastha’s opinion.
According to Faizi, Samastha had conveyed that while women could be fielded from reserved seats, they need not be considered for general seats.
Referring to the IUML fielding two women candidates from general constituencies, he said the party should ideally adhere to Samastha’s position, as a majority of the Muslim community aligns with the scholar body.
Fathima Thahiliya, a Youth League leader, has been fielded from Perambra in Kozhikode district, while Jayanthi Rajan, a non-Muslim woman, will contest from Koothuparamba in Kannur district.