Overview
- Samastha president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, who issued a statement Sunday, urged leaders to stop “inappropriate statements” that could pull the forum into party politics.
- His caution followed senior scholar Umar Faizy’s TV comments that the Indian Union Muslim League should field women only in seats reserved for them and that past party practice aligned with Samastha’s advice.
- The IUML has named two women in general constituencies, with Fathima Thahiliya running in Perambra in Kozhikode and Jayanthi Rajan, a non-Muslim candidate, set to contest in Koothuparamba in Kannur.
- Thangal said candidate choices belong to party leadership, noted that religious and political views can differ on such matters, and asked supporters to avoid personal attacks and hate campaigns.
- With Kerala voting on April 9, the message seeks to contain an internal dispute in a community where Samastha’s guidance carries weight, limiting pressure on party choices during the final stretch.