the goan I network
MARGAO
In an interesting development, a group of Muslim businessmen from the city on Friday made a plea not to drag the entire community in the formalin issue and avoid targeting M Ibrahim without any inquiry indicting him in the controversy.
Led by city hotel owner, Munavar Khan, the group told the media that though they hold no brief for M Ibrahim, they, however, said that targeting one individual when there are many engaged in the wholesale fish business is unfair to the individual. “We are not supporting Ibrahim. But, at the same time, no single individual should be targeted when there are many people involved in the wholesale fish business,” Munavar said.
He, however hastened to add that they strongly demand that Goans get good and safe fish without any chemicals. “We have seen that only one name is taken almost everyday, that is the name of M Ibrahim. Our only request to all concerned is that people should not target one individual. Also, no one should give a communal colour to the issue,” he said.
Sameer Sheikh told the media that the group has come before the media to tell that the issue should not be communalised. “We have heard yesterday that one lawyer was taking the name of one community. Such statements should be avoided as the entire community cannot be dragged into the controversy just because one person from the community is heading the Association of the wholesalers,” Sameer said.
He sounded a word of caution that what’s happening in other parts of the country should not take place in peaceful Goa. “We have seen such tensions elsewhere in the country on small issues. Catch Ibrahim as the president of the wholesale fish market association, but please don’t drag the entire Muslim community in the issue,” Sameer said.
Munawar, Sameer and others, however, made it clear that they stand by the people of Goa in the demand for the supply of only safe and quality food. “We have not been sent to the media by Ibrahim. We have only come here to appeal to everyone not to drag the entire community and target one individual,” they said.
