Stoking a fresh controversy, former Union minister and Congress leader C M Ibrahim has requested the Karnataka government to allow Muslims to pray at mosques on Eid, albeit with all precautionary measures.
In a letter to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, he said, “on behalf of the entire community I would suggest that the government take a decision by consulting with medical experts to grant permission to pray at ‘Eidgah Maidans’ or Masjids from morning till 1 pm. with all precautionary measures and safety norms.”
The Eid-ul Fitr festival in the state may be celebrated on May 24 or 25, during which Muslims have to offer special prayers, the former Union Minister pointed out.
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The letter, also signed by MLC M Abdul Jabbar, has drawn criticism from Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K S Eshwarappa and certain sections for seeking permission for mass prayer meets, during coronavirus pandemic.
However, the request has been opposed by senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Eshwarappa who has urged the chief minister not to concede the demand.
On Thursday, Eshwarappa tweeted, “Everybody knows what was the outcome of the support to Tablighi Jamaat by (former chief minister) Siddaramaiah, C M Ibrahim and (former minister) B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.” “I appeal to the Chief Minister to reject Ibrahim’s request,” he said adding the law of the land was same for all.
Two days ago, Congress leader Siddaramaiah had blamed the RSS for giving communal colour to the coronavirus issue by linking it to ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ conference in Delhi.
The Tablighi Jamaat came under criticism for holding the international conference in the national capital in March, where many of the attendees later contracted coronavirus.
