Muslim cleric welcomes SC rider on poll campaigning

Lucknow (UP) [India], Jan. 2 (ANI): Welcoming the Supreme Court's ruling which termed as "illegal" any appeal for votes on the basis of caste, community, religion or language, Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli on Monday said the decision will give way to developments rather than regular sentimental issues. "We welcome Supreme Court's decision. Caste cannot be a factor on the basis on which political parties ask for vote. If the political parties follow this decision, it will give way to developments and they will not be able to use caste and religious issues. Even the voters will able to cast their vote in the right direction," Khalid Rashid told ANI People will rise above emotional and sentimental issues. National issues will be addressed directly now. The best thing is that the verdict came from Supreme Court. Everyone should follow this decision," he added. The apex court today upholding the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution, said politicians can't use religion, caste, creed or language for seeking votes. In a 4:3 verdict in the controversial Hindutva case, the apex court said election in the country is a secular exercise and thereby its way and processes should be followed. The top court said no politician can seek votes in the name of caste, creed, or religion. The court also said that the relationship between man and God is an individual choice and the state is forbidden to interfere in such an activity. A seven-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court passed the judgment in the Hindutva case after hearing in detail arguments from various petitioners. The majority view of the Supreme Court upheld that elections will be void if a politician makes an appeal for vote on the basis of his religion or his voters and agents. The seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur passed this order while revisiting its two-decade-old 'Hindutva' judgment for an authoritative pronouncement on electoral law categorising misuse of religion for electoral gains as "corrupt practice". (ANI)