Human civilization has come a long way. From the discovery of fire, to devising new scientific theories and solution to various problems, humans have kept the spirit of inquisitiveness alive. We have progressed to a level where we can send satellites to various planets, humans to the moon and even beyond, and most importantly, solve issues in our planet using cutting edge technology.
But these developments don’t seem to hold true for some folks, who’re still stuck in their medieval approach of viewing the world. The latest addition to this list is Kanthapuram AP Abu Bakar Musaliar, a Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala, who directed that Islam does not permit women to come out in public spheres.
At a meeting of the Sunni Youth Society, in the capacity of the presiding chairperson, he said, “Muslim women, unlike men, should not come out in public spheres as Islam has not permitted so and it has certain reasons. If women come forward, it could lead to violence and disaster, and there are examples to substantiate this view.”
Now before we delve deep into what this man said, let’s examine the state in which he made this statement. Nicknamed God’s own country, Kerala is a coastal state in southern India that boasts a record 100% literacy. Many believe it is the most developed, as well as the most progressive state. But there’s more to Kerala than what meets the eye.
‘The most literate state’ is ironically the state with the highest crime record, with negligible respect for any alternative political narrative than communism. You have to be an ostrich sticking its head in the ground if you are unaware about the mass murders of RSS volunteers and BJP workers in Kerala, just because they don’t subscribe to Marxist views. It’s no surprise when one learns that Kerala is also the emerging gateway for the dreaded Islamic State, with the highest recruitment coming from here.
At a time when we’re heading for the first major multi-sport event to have equal games for both men and women, i.e. the upcoming Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast City, a Sunni Muslim cleric from Kerala has the audacity to decide how women should behave or enter the public sphere. While it’s not entirely unexpected, such regressive, misogynist views are naturally unacceptable. Yet, our so called liberal intelligentsia maintains a deathly silence, which wouldn’t have been the case had the perpetrator been anything but an Islamist. Didn’t we say that right, Mrs. Sagarika Ghose?
Now about the cleric’s statement- this comes only a week after one Kerala professor criticized a few Muslim girls for not wearing the Hijab correctly. He even went on to say that they intentionally expose their chests like ‘sliced watermelon’. We’re not making this up, the Muslim professor actually said that. Is this the progressivism that the so-called intellectuals often boast about?
Though a case was registered against the professor based on the complaint filed by one of the female students, the police have made no arrest yet. Interestingly, the very Sunni Youth Society, which is presided by Kanthapuram AP Abu Musaliar, had wholeheartedly backed the Kerala professor, and had criticized the victim for daring to file an FIR against the same. So much for progressivism!
After the horrifying cartel of human trafficking (also notoriously known as Love Jihad) popularized in the Kasargod district in Kerala was exposed by Times Now, it seems that the Kerala government, like its counterpart in Bengal, has turned a blind eye to the rampant misuse of power and the hooliganism in the name of Islam. What’s the use of being progressive, if you can’t keep anti social elements in check?