Addressing the 1989 split in Samastha, Kanthapuram provided an important clarification. He explained that he and his supporters did not leave the organization; rather, they walked out of a meeting due to disagreements over certain decisions. He used the example of legislators walking out of a Parliament or Assembly session, noting that a walkout does not mean they have resigned from their posts. He emphasized that unity efforts must move forward while sticking to the declared principles of Samastha and expressed readiness for further talks through the committees appointed by both factions.
The Grand Mufti also stressed that the reconciliation efforts must be treated with due respect. He strictly directed that no one should use words or perform deeds that create a block for these unity efforts. His comments reflected the displeasure within the Kanthapuram group regarding E.K. Samastha President Syed Muhammad Jiffiri Muthukoya Thangal’s “ghar wapsi” (homecoming) remark, which suggested that those who left should return. Kanthapuram reiterated that they never left the organization and argued that unity should be a mutual agreement between two equal sides rather than one group merging into another. He concluded that such statements could harm the process and urged for the committee discussions to continue smoothly. (TNIE)
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