Recently the country witnessed many organised and unorganised protests and movements against the ongoing trend of rape, murder, molestation, dowry killing committed against women. There was a high cyclone of protest after the Delhi Nirbhaya rape cum murder case. Despite this such incidents did not stop at all. Most probably Kolkata witnessed for the first time the voice of Muslim women.
The civil society never imagined that the Muslim women will protest in the heart of the city against the atrocities going on against them. The rally and the convention of women, organised by the Ladies Wing of West Bengal zone of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) in Kolkata on 30 October, is a historical event in West Bengal’s history. The rally commenced from Haji Mohammad Mohsin Square at 1 p.m. and concluded at 2 p.m. at Rani Rashmoni Avenue followed by a grand women conference.
Addressing the inaugural session of the conference, the state president of Jamaat’s Ladies Wing Ms Rehana Sultana said that not even a single political party in West Bengal had been able to organise such a grand women’s rally and convention on the country’s most burning issue. The ongoing heinous crimes against women should be stopped with immediate effect, she added. She further stated that the government should take stern steps to punish the culprits involved in such crimes.
Moreover, Ms Rehana requested women to wear modest dressing, put on Hijab and give up provocative outfits. She strongly condemned the commercialisation of women saying the people should abstain from using women as a commodity.
While addressing the conference, state president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, West Bengal Md Nooruddin clearly mentioned that the conference is neither against any government nor against any political party. Rather the conference is against the current increasing trend of violence against women and against the lobby which wants to render women naked. “Our movement is to protect women’s respect and chastity. Our struggle is against those who are playing with women’s dignity,” he added.
Mr Nooruddin further called a mass movement against commodification of women in the name of so-called women progress. He also emphasised on education for women and voiced concern over immorality in the name of freedom of women.
A woman always renders dual duty in her family – as a wife she has to support her husband to maintain a righteous way of life and as a mother she has to care for proper upbringing of her children, said Dr. Raisuddin, member All India Muslim Personal Law Board. He stated that simultaneously women have their social and educational responsibilities in the light of teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). As a mother, a woman is the first educational mentor for her child.
CPIM MLA and Former Minister of Land and Land Reforms in the State Government, Mr. Abdur Razzaque Molla, extended his full support to the conference and said that the gathering is not only for the sake of Muslim women but for the sake of the country as well. He honestly accepted that no political party or other mass organisation has ever dared to organise such a grand conference of women in Kolkata in support of women’s dignity and rights. The leader also urged the masses to uproot dowry system from the society.
State General Secretary of JIH, Mohammed Abdur Rafique, expressed his grievances that mere protests, conventions and rules and laws cannot prevent atrocities against women. According to him, moral boosting is the only way to curb such crimes. “Only capital punishment can prevent all the crimes against women and save their dignity,” he added. Mr. Rafique took on media for its negative role regarding presentation of women’s decency. He also condemned reality and fashion shows and urged the Government of India to take steps against availability of porosities in internet and make stern rules to prevent uploading of pornography on internet. The convention also raised voice against female foeticides.
