After making unsuccessful attempts to get the Vijayawada West assembly ticket, a desperate Jaleel Khan has created ripples by deploying
some Muslim scholars to speak against Congress party's official nominee, Mallika Begum. A few religious leaders deputed by Jaleel, a former Congress MLA, on Wednesday said they would be issuing a `fatwa' to Muslims in the city to vote against Mallika Begum. However, they retracted when the media people grilled them on their "authority" to issue a fatwa. They clarified that they were not issuing any fatwa and were only appealing to Muslim electorate not to vote in favour of Mallika since she is a woman. "As per Islamic law, women are not eligible to contest the election. So, we are requesting all the Muslims to vote against this woman for defying the Islam," urged Abdul Khadir Rizwi, moulana of Jumma Masjid at Canal Road and a staunch follower of Jaleel. Jaleel, who was with TDP till recently, rejoined Congress two months ago. Immediately after the joining the party, Jaleel began lobbying for the assembly ticket. "The fatwa drama is part of Jaleel's game plan to bring pressure on the party high command to withdraw Mallika from the race," a Congress minority leaders said. Sources said a fatwa (equivalent to a decree) could be issued by a school of scholars headed by a mufti only. In Vijayawada city, there are only three muftis, who are incidentally not associated with Wednesday's drama. "More over, no individual can issue a fatwa using religion for the sake of his or his men," a mufti said. Reacting to the issue, Mallika said: "As far as my knowledge goes, Islam has not barred women from taking part in the matters of ruling and administration." Downplaying the issue, local Congress leader Habibur Rehman said such tricks would not help Jaleel get the ticket at this juncture.
some Muslim scholars to speak against Congress party's official nominee, Mallika Begum. A few religious leaders deputed by Jaleel, a former Congress MLA, on Wednesday said they would be issuing a `fatwa' to Muslims in the city to vote against Mallika Begum. However, they retracted when the media people grilled them on their "authority" to issue a fatwa. They clarified that they were not issuing any fatwa and were only appealing to Muslim electorate not to vote in favour of Mallika since she is a woman. "As per Islamic law, women are not eligible to contest the election. So, we are requesting all the Muslims to vote against this woman for defying the Islam," urged Abdul Khadir Rizwi, moulana of Jumma Masjid at Canal Road and a staunch follower of Jaleel. Jaleel, who was with TDP till recently, rejoined Congress two months ago. Immediately after the joining the party, Jaleel began lobbying for the assembly ticket. "The fatwa drama is part of Jaleel's game plan to bring pressure on the party high command to withdraw Mallika from the race," a Congress minority leaders said. Sources said a fatwa (equivalent to a decree) could be issued by a school of scholars headed by a mufti only. In Vijayawada city, there are only three muftis, who are incidentally not associated with Wednesday's drama. "More over, no individual can issue a fatwa using religion for the sake of his or his men," a mufti said. Reacting to the issue, Mallika said: "As far as my knowledge goes, Islam has not barred women from taking part in the matters of ruling and administration." Downplaying the issue, local Congress leader Habibur Rehman said such tricks would not help Jaleel get the ticket at this juncture.
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