By TCN Staff Reporter
Kozhikode: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Indian National Congress have declared to take to the Parliament the issue of hurting religious sentiments of citizens wherein a Christian nun was denied an opportunity to write All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test (AIPMT) in Kerala on July 25.
The IUML and Congress MPs said they will take the issue to the Parliament to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
Congress’ M I Shanavas, who represents Wayanad constituency in the Lok Sabha, told Twocircles.net that he will draw Parliament’s attention to the issue. The Congress MP, who failed to get his turn during Zero Hour earlier this week, said he will present the matter in the House through a calling for attention motion.
“This is a case, where the citizens are denied their right to follow the dress code of their choice. Such a scenario, where citizens are compelled to avoid the religious codes, emerges as grave concern and denigrates the secular credentials of the country,” the Congress M P said.
“Such incidents should be last and final,” Shanavas said.
Meanwhile, the statement of the Supreme Court of India, which asked will the faith be lost if the participants abstains from wearing a head cover for three hours, also drew heavy criticism from IUML and Congress.
IUML MP E T Mohammed Basheer, who represents Ponnani constituency, said: “The court should have considered the merit of the case before extending such a loose comment.”
Basheer said that such a comment led to denying the rights granted by the Constitution.
Basheer added deliberate attempts were being initiated by the ruling power to polarise the public. “This is a matter that involves issues of faith. And the attempts to deny the constitutional rights wouldn’t be approved by the parties like IUML,” the IUML leader said.
Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V M Sudheeran termed the decision unfortunate. A statement, issued by the KPCC chief said the action violates the fundamental right of the citizens to follow the religion of their choice. “The Centre is obliged to ensure them their constitutional rights, (and) such incidents, which hurt the religious sentiments of the citizens are not repeated,” Sudheeran said.
The action of the officials, who denied the nun opportunity to write examinations and asked her to remove the head cover, also came under heavy criticism. Shanavas said that some of the officials, who he called sadists, are inclined to enjoy such ‘opportunities’ to smash the religious sentiments. “This tendency will affect the true spirit of the country, which boasts of the democratic and secular credentials,” Shanavas said.
Both Shanavas and Basheer offered possible support if the nun takes the issue to the court citing choice to follow the religious dress code was denied.
Earlier on July 25, a nun named Sister Seba was denied entry to examination hall at Jawahar Central School at Kanjirakulam in Thiruvananthapuram. Sister Seba reportedly expressed readiness to remove head cover on condition of allowing her to put it back after proper checking. But, the authorities denied to grant her a chance to appear for the examination in keeping with the CBSE directions.