Kerala minister Saji Cherian under fire for saying he did not hear prayer call from mosques in Saudi Arabia

Cherian, who was last year forced to quit as a minister in the wake of his alleged statements against the Constitution, made the controversial comment during a function in Kochi on Sunday. “I thought extremists were living there… (with) extreme religious beliefs… But I was surprised to learn that there is no call to prayer from mosques. When I asked the person accompanying me about this, he told me that prayers are held inside the mosques. If the call to prayer is heard outside, they (mosques) would face the consequences. As per their faith, they have the right to make the call to prayer. But, if it is heard outside (the mosque), it is a public nuisance,” he said.

The minister, who also holds the portfolio of fisheries, said, “…Whereas here (in Kerala), the mic is used to unleash God everywhere. In Saudi, everyone has the right to pray. But all have to abide by the rules. Is the majority community there (Saudi) attacking anyone? There is a democratic situation.”

After his comments came under criticism, Cherian on Monday came up with an explanation on his social media pages. “Some people are spreading yesterday’s speech without understanding my intention. What I learned from my fellow traveller in Saudi was the moderate approach of the people in religious ceremonies and people’s love for other communities and religious harmony. My statement that I did not hear the call to prayer was wrong information. Please clear the misunderstanding,” he said.

Congress state vice president V T Balram said CPI(M) leaders holding constitutional posts, one after another, are making comments that would destroy the state’s communal harmony. “After inflicting damage to society, Cherian would withdraw his comment. This would only help the BJP further their agenda,” he said.

In July last year, Cherian made controversial observations about the Constitution, which led to his exit from the Cabinet. He was reinstated six months later. While speaking at a party function in Pathanamthitta, he had said, “Constitution endorses the exploitation and loot of the common people. I would say the Constitution has been written in such a manner as to ensure that the maximum number of people are looted. What the British prepared, Indians penned down. Over the last 75 years that it has been implemented, I would say this is a Constitution that ensures the exploitation of the maximum number of people in the country.”