CPM condemns use of Tablighi case to target Muslims

April 7, 2020
New Delhi: In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, here on Tuesday, expressed “serious concern” over a particular community being blamed for the Covid-19 spread by certain sections.

“The organisers of Tablighi were irresponsible. This, however, can’t be an excuse to target the Muslim community as a whole. Unless stopped, it will disrupt the people’s united struggle against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Yechury said.

The CPM General Secretary said many congregations, religious and otherwise, had taken place despite the government’s orders banning such gatherings. “Even Parliament functioned till the eve of countrywide lockdown being declared,” he said.

A floor test was held in Madhya Pradesh, a new government was sworn in encouraging defections. “All those who attended such gatherings must be tested forthwith and isolated to contain the further spread of the pandemic.” Yechury said.

“As the custodian of the Constitution, I hope you will not allow communal polarisation in these trying times when the country needs to be united in its fight against an enemy that doesn’t distinguish on the basis of identities of religion, caste, class, etc. Please impress upon ‘your government’ that what is needed is human empathy not criminalisation,” Yechury wrote.

In the letter, he also talked about harshness the people were facing due to the lockdown. IANS