MALAPPURAM: Muslim League state president Sadiq Ali Thangal said that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Babri Masjid, which is going to be built, will strengthen secularism. He stated this in the Pulpatta Panchayat Muslim League general meeting on January 24.

"The Shri Ram Temple is a part of the faith and a necessity of the majority of the people of the country. There is no need to protest about the establishment of Sri Rama Temple in Ayodhya. It is a reality. We cannot go back from it. The temple that came into being in the context of the court verdict and the mosque that is going to be built are part of India. We know that the Babri Masjid was demolished by the Karsevaks. At that time we had protests. Indian Muslims were able to face it with tolerance. At that time the country was looking at Kerala. This is where the Muslim community lives sensitively and very energetically. While Karsevaks and some terrorists were firing the bullets of intolerance and chaos in North India, the country was watching to see if the candle of peace was burning in Kerala. The Muslims of Kerala were able to set an example for the entire country," he said.

Responding to this, opposition leader VD Satheesan said that Sadiq Ali is trying to douse the fire while many tried to smother it.