Mangaluru, May 07, 2020: The DK District Muslim Okkoota has strongly condemned the decision of the district administration to permit opening of textile and footwear shops across the district at a time when the number of Covid-19 positive cases are on the rise.
In a press communique, K Ashraf, former mayor and President of the Okkoota said the permission to open the shops at a time when Eid-ul-Fitr was nearing would lead to rush in the shops in turn bringing in fear of spread of Covid-19. He also expressed his resentment over the fact that the administration has neglected the appeal made by the Okkoota as well as the Qazi of Udupi against permitting textile shops during the lockdown period.
He also warned that the administration, district in-charge minister, MLA and MP themselves will be responsible in case of increased infection cases due to this decision.
Referring to the Tablighi Jamat incident and the subsequent blaming of Muslims for spread of Coronavirus infection, he said there is no doubt that the community may also be blamed here for the spread of infection. He also said the lockdown until now would be a futile exercise if more relaxations are given at this juncture.