Tells Brinda Karat: ‘If you are not a hypocrite, please start a dharna before a few Muslim mosques demanding entry of Muslim women there’
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju in a recent Facebook post has sought to expose the duplicity of the CPI(M) on the issue of young women’s entry into Sabarimala. The CPI(M), which has been spearheading the movement in Sabarimala on the pretext of gender justice, is silent on the entry of Muslim women into mosques. Moreover, the CPI(M) is leading a movement in favour of Triple Talaq, which is a symbol of patriarchy, much to chagrin of progressive Muslim women.
Justice Katju, known for his upright stance on issues, in a letter to senior leader and the first women member of the CPI(M) Politburo Brinda Karat, writes, “So if you are really concerned with women’s rights (and not just Hindu women’s rights) and are not a hypocrite, please start a dharna before a few Muslim mosques demanding entry of Muslim women there.”
Following is the full text of Justice Katju’s letter:
To
Ms. Brinda Karat
Member, C.P.I.M Politbureau
Madam,
I do not have your email id, so I am posting this letter on my fb page, with the request to anyone who reads it and can communicate with you to forward it to you.
I read on the internet that you said in Hyderabad that every woman has a right to offer puja in Sabarimala.
Very brave of you no doubt. But I am sure you are equally concerned with the rights of Muslim women as with the rights of Hindu women, and are not selective.
In India hardly 1 or 2 % mosques permit entry to Muslim women (and those too in separate enclosures), so Muslim women have to offer namaz at home (I am talking of India, not Mecca or Madina).
So if you are really concerned with women’s rights (and not just Hindu women’s rights) and are not a hypocrite, please start a dharna before a few Muslim mosques demanding entry of Muslim women there.
You will of course be told that in Islam there is no ban on entry of Muslim women in mosques, but that is only theory. The practice in India is very different, and it is practice which matters, not theory.
You will be told that women are not allowed in most mosques due to shortage of space. But then why discrimination against women? Let the men offer namaz in their homes, and women in mosques.
But I doubt you will ever do as I suggest, for then what will happen to your party’s Muslim vote bank?
However, if you are really concerned with women’s rights, and are not a hypocrite, may I ask when your dharna will begin?
Yours sincerely,
Justice Markandey Katju
Former Judge, Supreme Court
3.1.2019
(Source: Facebook)
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