Tripura's Education Minister Condemned by Islamists

Tripura's Education Minister Condemned by Islamists


Friday, August 10, 2007


Mistake turns costly for minister
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Agartala, Aug. 9: An inadvertent mistake by Tripura school education minister Keshab Mazumder yesterday drew howls of protests from the Tripura Arabic Forum and the state unit of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind which questioned his knowledge of Islamic history and scripture. The organisations also asked him not to intervene in religious affairs of the minorities.
Yesterday, Mazumder inaugurated the double-storeyed buildings of Rangamatia and Kulubari higher secondary schools.


He also announced the elevation of Rabindranagar high school to the status of a higher secondary school in minority-dominated Sonamura subdivision of West Tripura. At Kulubari, while mentioning the Left Front’s programmes for the state’s minorities in front of a large gathering, the minister questioned the need of sticking to “outmoded practices like wearing veils”.


“Muslim women must come out of their veils and shun the habit of confining themselves to home if they want to progress. You must also realise that by studying in madarsas, you are depriving yourself of the benefits of modern scientific education,” Mazumder said, adding that “all forms of religious superstitions must be rejected to achieve development”.


Two residents of the area defended the practice of Muslim women wearing veils. “It is a religious right protected by the Constitution,” they said.
Abdul Qasim, a CPM supporter and two senior members of the forum, have sought a clarification. Reacting to Mazumder’s statements, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Mufti Taibur Rahaman, said: “It only shows his ignorance of Islamic history. His statement betrays his lack of understanding of issues like development and progress.”


http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070810/asp/northeast/story_8174478.asp