India: Anti-woman
resolutions of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind are condemnable
Wednesday 18 November 2009, by All India Progressive Women’s Association
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All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA)
18 November, 2009
Some of the resolutions adopted at the congregation of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind
in Deoband’s Dar-Ul-Uloom seminary strongly offend the principle of women’s
equality.
For instance, the resolution calling the Bill for 33% reservation for women
“unnecessary as well as unacceptable” does not stop at expressing the
apprehension that it might diminish the presence of minorities in
representative assemblies. It goes on to declare that “Such a desperate
attempt to bring women into the mainstream will create various other social
problems issues including their security.” This implies that in order to
keep women ‘secure’ they must be deprived of their rights and of a voice in
the mainstream!
The idea that women must be kept from the public arena in the name of their
own ‘security’ – often expressed by the RSS – is an abhorrent one. The fact
is that women are rendered far more insecure because they are deprived of a
space and a voice in the public arena, and the oppression and violence they
face in society and within the family remain ‘hidden.’ It is unfortunate
that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also chose to repeat and propagate such
offensive anti-women views.
The resolutions also state that “On completion of 10 years of age, complete
shariat norms should be observed while continuing their (girls’) education.”
This resolution also threatens to deprive Muslim girls of the benefits of a
complete education, and can only have a disempowering impact on them. AIPWA
holds that community organisations –be they khaap panchayats or
organisations like the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind should not attempt to impose
unconstitutional restrictions on women in the name of ‘protecting’ culture.
Tahira Hasan,
National Vice President, AIPWA
09628281631
Kavita Krishnan,
National Secretary, AIPWA
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