Kerala: CPM-Backed MLA Faces Heat Over 'Most Gold Smugglers Are Muslims' Remark

MLA KT Jaleel has sparked controversy by suggesting that Muslims are involved in gold smuggling at Kozhikode airport.

CPM-backed MLA KT Jaleel has come under fire after he said that most of the people caught in connection with gold smuggling at Kozhikode airport are Muslims. 

Jaleel's statement comes when the ruling CPI(M) is already in damage control mode over a remark by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Last month, the CM linked Malappuram district with gold smuggling during a press conference. Malappuram is a Muslim-majority district in the state. 

Jaleel, who is known to be close to Vijayan told the party-run daily Deshabhimani that religious leaders should tell people not to engage in gold smuggling, reported the Indian Express. 

“Why are religious leaders, in their sermons, not telling people to keep away from gold smuggling and hawala dealings? Why don’t they say that these activities are against religion and the faithful should not indulge in such activities," Jaleel said. 

"Let Indian Union Muslim League (IUML, a partner in the opposition UDF alliance) state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, who is the qazi of hundreds of mosques in Kerala, issue a fatwa saying that gold smuggling is anti-national. Let them say the faithful should keep away from gold smuggling and should not handle hawala money,” he added. 

Taking his Facebook account, the MLA further said; "Most people being caught in connection with gold smuggling at Kozhikode airport are Muslims. Without addressing this scenario, what reforms and progress do those who love Malappuram intend to bring to the community? Most Muslims who are involved in gold smuggling and hawala think that their act is not against their religion. When I say that qazis should come forward to enlighten such people, how does that become Islamophobia?” 

Jaleel's comment drew ire from IUML, which is a key player in the politics of Malappuram. P M A Salam, IUML's general secretary called it "despicable" adding Jaleel was depicting an entire community as criminals. 

“It is despicable and dangerous. He has created an impression that the community is engaged in smuggling. Even BJP leaders have not raised such an allegation. Jaleel wanted to take Vijayan’s statements on Malappuram to another realm," he said. 

Salam also demanded an apology from Jaleel to the Muslim community.