Religions as Offensive

Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musalyar, head of one of the traditionalist Sunni Muslims in Kerala, confirmed that worst expectations of women and civil liberties advocates in India by calling the concept of gender equality “un-Islamic” and saying that women could never equal men as “they are fit only to deliver children.” Musalyar, the chief of All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, insisted at a camp of Muslim Students Federationin Kozhikode that women lack the mental strength and power to control the universe, “which lies in the hands of men.” Ignoring the advances in civilized countries, he predicted that “Gender equality is something which is never going to be a reality. It is against Islam, humanity and was intellectually wrong.” He further denounced plans to allow girls and boys to share seats in colleges as “part of a calculated move to destroy Islam and culture.” He has decried reservations for women in elections.

Challenging the claim of Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar that Kerala madrasas were free from sexual abuse, a Malayalam film director said he was sexually exploited by an ustad (teacher) during his time in madrasa. His statements come after Muslim woman journalist V P Rajeena alleged that ustads abused girls and boys in the madrasa she was in. Rajeena’s Facebook post on alleged sexual abuse in madrasas has triggered a discussion on social media on the issue. Many have alleged that they too faced abuse during their time in madrasas. She was flooded with obscene messages and open threats. Facebook reportedly closed down her account following mass reporting by her critics. Instead of abusing that woman, such elements who commit the crime should be exposed.

Akbar alleged that “Sexual exploitation of children in madrasas is still going on. But, nobody is ready to speak out against it out of fear. When leaders like Kanthapuram Musliyar are heading the madrasa education system in Kerala, who would dare to complaint against an ustad.”  

Theocracy provides a platform to patriarchal ideologies. However, Kerala’s education system has flourished in India’s post-independence period. Kerala’s high literacy rate encouraged all citizens, regardless of gender, to engage in civic politics. In Kerala, much of the sectarian violence that exists in other regions is uncommon, although it undoubtably does exist. In other parts of India, poor Hindus and poor Muslims and poor Christian are politically far more divided. The peacefulness of various religious sects in Kerala facilitates cooperation among the poor of society.

World Socialism Party (India)

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