Jamaat says Patil's remarks on purdah extremely unfortunate

Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) The Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir today criticised UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil for her ''extremely unfortunate'' statement that 'purdah (veil)' system was introduced in India to protect women from Mughal aggressors.

In a statement here, a Jamaat-e-Islami spokesman said the Presidential aspirant had also stated that the 'purdah' system would be abolished in the country.

He said Jamaat chief Sheikh Mohammad Hassan summoned an emergency meeting of the central committee at party headquarters here this morning to discuss the issue.

The spokesman said the members criticised Ms Patil's remarks, saying such ''extremely unfortunate'' statements were part of a ''deep conspiracy'' to suppress the religious freedom of minorities, particularly Muslims, in the country.

He said the Jamaat-e-Islami has resolved to oppose ''tooth and nail'' any move to abolish the 'purdah' system in the country.

UNI