Date:14/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/14/stories/2008071454350500.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Jamaat opposes nuclear deal

Staff Reporter

Says it will destroy the secular fabric of the country
Demands removal of controversial portion in textbook

ALAPPUZHA: The Kerala Muslim Jamaat Muslim Council has urged the Union government to desist from going ahead with the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, terming the pact “a move that will destroy the secular fabric of the country.”

In a statement here on Sunday, the State Committee of the Council said the deal was conceived to protect the interests of U.S. President George W. Bush and that the stand-off between secular parties such as the Congress and the Left over the deal would only result in “religious fundamentalists” coming to power.

If India went ahead with the deal “to satisfy Mr. Bush,” the country would only be inviting the wrath of Muslims from across the world, Council State general secretary A. Pookunju said.

The State Committee of the Council, which met here on Saturday, also demanded that the State government exempt all places of worship belonging to all religions in the State from the raise in power tariff. The Council also said that the controversial portions in the Class VII social science textbook be removed forthwith so that the agitations staged by various parties in the State would be called off.