Summary:
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20 (PTI) A meeting of leaders of various religions on Monday called for steps to strengthen the secular fabric of Kerala society in the wake of controversial "narcotic jihad" remarks made by a Catholic Bishop, even as political parties continued to engage in a slugfest over the issue.
The meeting, convened by Cardinal Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, was attended by Muslim Youth League leader Panakkad Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi of the Santhigiri Ashram and representatives of other religious organisations.
However, representatives of the Syro-Malabar Church did not attend the meeting.
Representatives of various other Muslim organisations also did not turn up for the meeting.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Cardinal Cleemis said they did not discuss the "narcotic jihad" issue, although they gathered together here in the context of Pala Bishop"s remarks.
He said the meeting deliberated on how to strengthen the harmony among various communities of the state and what they can contribute to achieve that goal.