Need to restore secular identity of India: Former Kerala minister

Mangaluru: Former Kerala minister KT Jaleel stressed the importance of restoring India's secular identity. On Tuesday, he spoke at a state-level Muslim Convention hosted by the CPI(M) at Kudmul Rangarao Townhall.
"Secularism is our oxygen, and India will not be the same without it," he said. “Secularism is protecting the country's democratic nature and thus preventing it from becoming another Pakistan. Every community has contributed to the advancement of the country. Discriminating against people from a particular community will not help the community progress,” he added.
Jaleel attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, saying its policies are "dangerous" and must be defeated. In reference to attacks on Muslims in the name of cow slaughter and other accusations, he questioned whether such violence would end if India expelled all Muslims. The assault on dalits and other backward classes will then continue, he said, asserting that India cannot progress by denying the rights of any particular community.
DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla alleged that Muslims are constantly targeted in the country, and that such incidents are on the rise. The entire system has turned against Muslims in the last two years. The Communist Party, which fights for the oppressed and labourers, should come to the aid of Muslims, he said.
Dalits and Muslims are both harassed in the country, said Mavalli Shankar, state president of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (Ambedkar Vada). In response to the state's textbook revision controversy, he alleged that preference is being given to lessons written by members of a specific community that are intended to create communal polarisation, and hence people should be cautious.
U Basavaraj, state secretary of the CPI(M), condemned the attack on farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait and Yaduveer Singh.