What is the problem with the name Abdurahiman? Minister Mohammed Riyas says priest’s remark is poisonous

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Mohammaed Riyas has come against the remarks of anti-Vizhinjam Port protest leader, Father Theodacious d’cruz. The minister said that the father wanted to creative a narrative in the Vizhinjam issue and his remarks were aimed at it. After saying all that he wanted what is the point in giving an apology.

The minister said that according to Covid protocol, a person infected with the virus must not go into the society. But if that person goes our and infects others, what is the point if he says an apology.

The minister said that it is deliberately done to pick up a Muslim name and set a narrative of Muslim equals terrorism. The priest made these remarks by standing with those who support Sanga Parivar ideas.

He asked what is the problem in the name of Abdurahiman. Many people like Muhammad Abdurahiman Sahib have been part of the freedom struggle and given their lives for independence.

When there was a rumor during the partition that those with Muslim names should go to Pakistan, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer made fun of it. He asked that if he wanted to remain in India, should he change his name to ‘Y Mu Ba Panicker’.

Mohammed Riyas said that this is Kerala and the land is unique for its secularist values. That realization made the priest say sorry. The aim is to change the mindset of the people to a level of not saying sorry for such remarks.

It is also very surprising that many people who ought to speak against these activities remained silent. Many in UDF have not responded to this remark. The society must discuss why the UDF did not respond to it.

The father spoke these works in an effort to create animosity between communities and to create the narrative that Muslim equals terrorism. This cannot be solved by saying a simple sorry, said the Minister.