Congress for discussion on mosque entry

Kochi: The Congress will discuss the issue of Muslim women’s entry to all mosques to offer prayers among the faithful, said UDF convener and Congress candidate in Chalakudy constituency Benny Behenan on Wednesday. While addressing ‘meet the candidate’ programme organised by Ernakulam Press Club, he said the Congress has already made its stand clear that it should be discussed among the faithful and rituals and traditions of religions have to be protected.

A Pune-based couple recently approached the Supreme Court seeking its direction to allow entry of women in all mosques to offer prayers. Though women are allowed to enter mosques under Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, they are not allowed in mosques of Sunni, the dominant faction.

Behenan asked whether CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who earlier supported entry of women, still maintains the stand. “CPM should make its stand clear on the matter,” he said.

Responding to queries on whether the Congress will join a party in the case filed in the apex court, the UDF convener said it is the party high-command which should take a decision on that.

On electoral prospects of the Congress at the national level, Behenan said political situation has changed much from 2014 when there were corruption allegations against the UPA and the emergence of Modi as a national leader. “Over the five years, Modi has lost his image and become the most degraded political leader. The Congress led by Rahul Gandhi could successfully form an alternative to Modi and the NDA,” he observed.