The Hindu : International : Clashes as MMA objects to women in marathon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

International

International

Clashes as MMA objects to women in marathon

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

Religious students take out a rally condemning the arrest of Islamist radicals, who attacked a marathon, in Lahore on Monday. — AP

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 5. The thesis of "enlightened moderation" advocated by the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has received a setback after the activists of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), alliance of six religious parties, violently disrupted a mini-marathon in Gujranwala town in protest against women's participation in the race.

According to reports in the local media, on Sunday the activists — armed with petrol bombs, clubs and bricks — torched vehicles, destroyed property and attacked male and female participants at the marathon. It led to a violent clash between the police and the MMA workers and the event was abandoned. The clash left 45 injured including the local MP of the MMA.

The incident has triggered a furore in sections of the media, mainstream political parties and society. But the national leadership of the alliance is unfazed.

On Monday, the MMA in the National Assembly gave notice for an adjournment motion protesting against the local administration for organising an "un-Islamic" event and demanding action.

The alliance said despite stiff opposition from public representatives and the people of Gujranwala the marathon was organised in which thousands of "semi-nude women and men" participated.

It said the people of the town appealed to the administration to cancel this programme but the peaceful citizens were fired upon.

State terrorism

The MMA described the incident as state terrorism, rebellion against the Constitution, state and established Muslim values and traditions that had attracted lot of public concern.

In an angry reaction to the conduct of MMA, the ruling combine Vice-President, Syed Kabir Ali Wasti, said the Gujranwala incident should be an eye-opener for those who advocate the policy of appeasement towards extremist elements.

He said the ground conceded by the Government in accepting the demand for revival of religion column in passports had emboldened the MMA to use the violent means for pushing their extremist agenda.

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