My comments not against believers; no one has right to question my secular credentials: AN Shamseer

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Assembly speaker AN Shamseer said on Wednesday that his comments on Hindu myths were not intended to target believers.

"The Indian Constitution grants the right to believe and promote any religion. It also emphasises the duty of citizens to promote scientific temper. As someone holding a constitutional position, I simply echoed what the constitution advocates. How can that be deemed a crime?" asked Shamseer during a press conference.

"I have grown up as a student and youth leader before entering active politics. I was not born as a Speaker. No one has the right to question my secular credentials," added Shamseer.

The Thalassery MLA asserted that Kerala will reject the communal propaganda initiated by Sangh Parivar. He refrained from responding to Nair Service Society general secretary Sukumaran Nair's comments against him, stating that he respects the democratic rights of protestors.

Shamseer described the ongoing campaign against him as unfortunate and urged the protestors to withdraw from it. He also mentioned that he has nothing further to add to what CPM state secretary MV Govindan had previously stated during a press meet.

The controversy stems from Shamseer's remarks during a program at a school in Ernakulam on July 21, where he criticised the union government for promoting Hindu myths as scientific achievements from ancient times. He cited an example of the prime minister mentioning Lord Ganesha as the first person on whom plastic surgery was attempted. The speaker said the government was promoting these through the educational system of the country.

The press meet was organised to explain the upcoming Assembly session. Speaker said the session will start on Monday, August 7. The session would consider 14 bills, including two to replace ordinances and another two which were earlier sent for the consideration of the select committee, he said.