Author: S. Chandrasekhar
Publication: Organiser
Date: February 5, 2006
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=116&page=6
Kerala has always been a model to the world.
While in earlier days it was social reformers like Adi Sankara, Sree Narayana
Guru, etc. in modern times it is its predominance in education, health care,
land reforms etc. Now Kerala is becoming a model for the wrong reasons- Communalisation
and Islamisation of the education sector, thanks to the dominance of the Muslim
League Ministers in this crucial portfolio.
Majority of the schools, colleges, B.Ed. Colleges,
Medical and Engineering Colleges and Nursing institutions in North Kerala
are under the control of Muslims. In addition to these thousands of madrasas
are functioning in the State with funding from the state sponsored Wakf Board.
While last week it was the case of Muslim
students of a Christian Management School being prevented from going on their
annual excursion because the itenary consisted Churches, this week it is the
case of a Muslim girl and her family facing social ostracism because she is
learning Bharatanatyam and Keralanatanam. V.P. Rubiya, daughter of Alavikutty
is a class 10 student at Morayur High School, Kondotty, Malappuram District.
She started learning Bharatanatyam, traditional Kerala dances and folk dances
out of burning desire to participate in the State School Arts Festival. The
local Mosque ordered her to desist from this move. When Rubiya resisted and
continued with her resolved, she and her family were subjected to ostracism.
They were kept out of the Mosque and other Muslims were warned against dealing
with them. They were denied the relief given during Ramzan. The parents fear
that they may not be able to find a bridegroom for the girl since no imam
will solemnise the wedding of a family ostracised by a mosque.
Undaunted by the threat and due to the support
of her family and teachers, the girl participated in the festival and won
prizes in the categories.
We have heard of books on Kathakali, Bharatanatyam
and Indian Culture being confiscated and destroyed in Airports of Saudi Arabia,
but what is happening in Kerala, a highly educated state, is shameful. Will
the communists who shout from the roof-top against communalism wake up or
will they shut their eyes in these days of vote-bank politics and elections.