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Endorsing Patriarchy: Going Backwards

Kashmir Times. Dated: 10/10/2017 11:53:59 PM

Dear Editor,
This is in reference to the 'fatwa' issued by the clerics of Majlis-e-Shoura, a religious conglomerate in J&K, banning women from travelling alone. The very same religious conglomerate has issued a list of 'diktats' with regressive and unacceptable directives. It includes barring women from going alone in public places, no interaction with men, ban on music at marriage ceremonies, and separate classrooms for boys and girls in schools as co-education is 'un-Islamic.'
This misogynist diktat came a day after Darul Ifta, banned women from going to parlour, which sparked outrage all over the country. This is not the first time that patriarchal institutions have issued bizarre fatwas against freedom of women. It's not only restricted to Muslim community but includes Khap panchayats also, mostly known to put restrictions on women and promoting sexism.
The question remains- Till when these radicals will continue to restrict the freedom of women in the name of religion? Why is there never a question on mind-sets of people like these who are determined to put women down? This clearly shows us what kind of a patriarchal society we are living in. This is 21st century, where the concept of Women Empowerment and Feminism is getting supported and encouraged all over the world, whereas, on the other hand we have these Maulanas coming out with these fatwas completely regressive in nature, with no action being taken against them.
One wonders, how many of such backward fatwas will be coming out before the law and leaders of our country come to their senses and act accordingly?
—Ayushi Malik,
Shubhash Nagar,
Jammu