Minorities Welfare Minister S. Shajahan, a leader of the Indian Union Muslim League, on Sunday rejected allegations that he had met and spoken with a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament said to have been involved in terrorist activities.
Speaking to reporters in Papanasam in Thanjavur district, Shajahan said the claim was “purely imaginary” and insisted there was “not even a trace of truth” to it.
He also referred to a recent court verdict in a case related to certificates for converted Muslims, saying it ran contrary to the state’s reservation policy. Shajahan said the government would consult the Chief Minister, the Law Minister and officials before filing an appeal in the Supreme Court.
On his visits to Sri Lanka, the minister said that just as the Muslim League works for minorities in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka has the Muslim Congress. He said he travelled to Sri Lanka twice at the invitation of its leader, Rauff Hakeem.
Addressing reports that he alone attended a 2019 wedding event, Shajahan said around 30 people, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader Jawahirullah and former VCK MLA Aloor Shanavas, were present. He added that he did not attend a function held last September alone either, and said former DMK MP Abdullah and others had also participated.
