Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Higher Education K. T. Jaleel said that arrangements to distribute Ramzan kits for the poor were made following a request from the UAE consulate.

There were allegations that K. T. Jaleel had links with Swapna Suresh, accused in the gold smuggling case. The telephonic conversation between Swapna and Jaleel had triggered a controversy. Jaleel has maintained that the conversation with Swapna was regarding distribution of Ramzan food kits following a request from the consulate.

Taking to Facebook, the minister responded to allegations against him in connection with the gold smuggling case. Jaleel added that arrangements were also made to distribute copies of the Quran in mosques.

“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after considering the letter sent by UDF convenor Benny Behanan, sentences me to death penalty for the same, I will gladly accept it. I will not even file an appeal against such a decision,” the Minister said on Facebook.

Besides the 1,000 food kits from the UAE consulate, some of my friends collected 9,000 food kits. These 10,000 food kits were distributed to the poor in Thavanoor constituency without considering religious or political differences, said Jaleel.

The beneficiaries included fisherfolk, autorickshaw drivers, barbers and private bus employees among others. They included supporters of BJP, Congress, Muslim League and Left parties, he added.