Fatwa against Javed Akhtar receives condemnation

Mumbai: The Muslims for Secular Democracy (MSD) organisation has denounced the fatwa declared against noted lyricist and Rajya Sabha MP Javed Akhtar who has received death threats and is now under police protection.

Akhtar started getting a barrage of hate mail after he described the recent fatwa of the Lucknow-based Darul uloom Deoband as "insane" in a TV interview as the religious and academic centre had stated that Islam forbids Muslim women from working in the company of males.

Clerics at the largest Sunni Muslim seminary had issued a decree almost a week back stating, "It is unlawful [under Sharia] for Muslim women to work in the government or private sector where men and women work together and women have to talk with men frankly and without a veil."

The e-mail messages asked Akhtar how he dared to make such comments and a message sent on May 12 said, "this is my last warning". He informed the police on May 14 after the messages told him "your countdown has begun." Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Rakesh Maria has provided police protection to the lyricist and a probe is being conducted.

Strong opposition

Akhtar, however, continues to express his strong opposition to such fatwas "which have no reason or logic. They can only serve threats because they've no rational discussion or debate to offer."

He wondered how today any man could ask a woman not to step out of the house to earn a living. "Women have equal rights to a good education, career and an ambition."

Meanwhile, Teesta Setalvad, human rights activist, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), condemned the threats issued to Akhtar, who is also on the Board of Directors of CJP.

"He has been a part of CJP's collective efforts to ensure justice to the victims and punishment to the perpetrators of the Gujarat 2002 carnage," she said. "Intimidation and threats, whether they come from spokespersons of the so-called majority or minority are equally condemnable," she said.

What do you think of Deoband seminary's fiat? Should it be taken seriously? Can such an order become a reality?