Kozhikode: The maiden Iftar of the RSS – in which only one non-vegetarian chicken dish was served – in the state evoked a cold response on Thursday. The programme was conducted at Hosankady, Manjeshwaram in Kasargod under the aegis of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an outfit of the RSS. Only 23 persons took part in the Iftar which included presspersons. Though the organizers had announced the names of BJP state general secretary K. Surendran and other district leaders, only local leaders of the party and RSS attended.
MRM Kasargod district president K.P Muneer Uppala told DC that the Iftar was long delayed due to the hectic schedule of central ministers and finally they decided to conduct it with the available leaders. “We had planned it in a grand manner being the first such Iftar in the state. But unfortunately ministers were only available after June 25,” he said. He added that clergy belonging to all Muslim sects were invited to the programme.
Interestingly, a single non-vegetarian dish found a place in the menu, Chicken Sukka, a favourite in Kasargod, Mangaluru region. In many states, MRM had decided to go for only vegetarian dishes for Iftar. But Mr Muneer said that there were no such instructions about the menu. When asked why there was no other non-veg items which was normal in the Iftars in Malabar, he did not answer. MRM State General Secretary Umarul Farook, State Treasurer Azees Abdulla, BJP Manjeshwar committee secretary Adarsh, RSS local leader Veerappa Ambar among others took part.
