The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Reject the fatwa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Reject the fatwa

The fatwa issued by the Darul Uloom Deoband in the Imrana case is a violation of the fundamental human right to a life of dignity. To hide behind the Quran in this case is to vilify it. A religion, which spread fast in the face of social oppression promising structural changes in society, fell into the clutches of the clergy. This has to change if Islam has to regain its pride of place as a moderate, forward-looking faith. All Muslim groups should reject the fatwa openly.

Mushtaqh Ali,
Chennai

The fatwa is barbaric and has to be thrown out by the Muslim community in unison. The very concept of a victim of rape being punished for no fault of hers is deplorable even if it is sanctioned by a fatwa by clerics, whose opinion cannot be the final word.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

Every religion has its traditional laws, but should not the right-minded in every religion make efforts to adapt their religious laws to the modern concepts of social order and justice? If they are wary of doing it, should not the legislature and the judiciary step in and see that a uniform civil code is put in place?

Kannan Ganesan,
Chennai

If Imrana is made to obey the Shariat why not punish her father-in-law according to the same laws? It is such selective implementation that is giving a bad name to Muslim laws.

Amjad K. Maruf,
Mumbai

It is indeed shocking to note that in a civilised society a victim of rape is condemned and her marriage terminated. The episode shows that it is time the Muslim personal law is codified and reformed.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,
Kottayam, Kerala

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion