Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Snowballing issue

The criticism of Sania Mirza's dress on the tennis court by some Muslim clerics is snowballing into a controversy and threatening to get out of hand, with political parties and the National Commission for Women joining issue over the fatwa. On the one hand, women's empowerment tops our national agenda and, on the other, there are powerful sections that deny women the right to decide what is in their interest. Every Indian irrespective of religion should appreciate the compulsions of women in these days of changing demands and leave the decision making to them.

Ushadevi & S.B.Rao,
Ruwi, Muscat

The fatwa by some short-sighted, self-appointed culture cops is unfortunate. Many youngsters look upon Sania as a role model and a source of inspiration.

R. Anjoo Sharon,
Coimbatore

Sania is our national asset and anything done by anyone to hamper her progress will harm the country and hurt the feelings of millions of sports lovers. If the Muslim clergy does not give up its narrow-mindedness, no Muslim girl will ever venture into sporting events.

A.G. Balasubrahmanian,
Chennai

The criticism should be seen in a wider context. While the view expressed by the clerics may not be incorrect from the shariat point of view, it is necessary for them to grow out of obscurantism. The shariat should be interpreted more liberally.

Shafa Reyaz,
Varanasi, U.P.

The cartoon "Mixed doubles" (Sept. 16) is worth preserving.

K.X.M. John,
Kochi, Kerala

Instead of targeting Sania, the mullahs should take up the cause of young Muslim women victimised by affluent Arab sheikhs in the name of marriage in cities such as Hyderabad. Unscrupulous marriage brokers trap these girls and exploit their poverty by offering money to their parents. There are hundreds of such girls who are rendered destitute by the sheikhs after about two months of `marriage'. Unless Muslim clerics intervene to stop such blatant sex tourism, many more young Muslim girls will fall prey to the vicious practice.

R.P. Rammohan,
Hyderabad

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