IUML plays down 'Ram Mandir' comment by state chief, says "It was a warning to not fall into BJP trap"

Kozhikode (Kerala) [India], February 5 (ANI): Amid the recent controversy over IUML Kerala president Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal's statement on Ram Mandir, party MLA and IUML National General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty said that what the state party chief meant was that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is exploiting the issue to gain political advantage and they should not fall into the trap.
"What Sadiq Ali Thangal said is that the BJP is exploiting the issue politically, and we should not fall into that trap. BJP is using it for the coming election. So he advised against falling into that trap," Kunhalikutty said on Monday.
Kunhalikutty explained that the IUML state president wanted to stress maintaining communal harmony and not falling into BJP's trap in which each side attempts to exploit the situation.
"I don't think it has any other meaning. There are only interpretations by various interested parties. In the past as well, such things happened when the Ayodhya issue took place. Both sides attempted to exploit the situation. We do not fall into that category. We always stand for communal harmony," the IUML MLA said.
Earlier, IUML Kerala president Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal sparked a debate with his remark on the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya when he purportedly said that there is no need to protest against the newly-built temple as both the Mandir, as well as the proposed mosque, will strengthen secularism in the country.
"The Ram Temple is respected by the majority of the country. It is a reality. We cannot turn our backs on that. The Ram Temple was a necessity of the majority community in the country. It has come into existence in Ayodhya. There is no need for us to protest against that," Thangal was purportedly heard saying in the video which has gone viral.
Thangal said that both the Ram Mandir and the Masjid that will be constructed are part of the country and would set an example of strengthening secularism.
"In a pluralistic country, everyone has their rituals and practices...This is the temple that has come up based on the court order. The Babri Masjid will be constructed based on the court order. Both of them are part of India. This is an example that strengthens secularism in India," Thangal was heard saying.
Speaking about the destruction of the erstwhile Babri Masjid, the IUML state chief said, "We know that the kar sevaks have destroyed the Babri Masjid. We had protested against it then. But Indian Muslims were able to deal with it by being tolerant, especially in Kerala."
The IUML state president's remarks came on January 24 in Malappuram, day after the Ram Mandir was thrown open to the public.
In reaction to Thangal's remarks, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, from the Congress party, said that his statement is balanced.
"He (Thangal) is making a very balanced statement. We need peaceful co-existence among various religions in the state. I appreciate the statement made by him," Satheesan said speaking to reporters on Monday.
The Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was held on January 22 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the rituals. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present inside the sanctorum during the rituals. (ANI)