West Bengal : Village heads in Murshidabad District issue fatwa banning music, lottery, watching TV

Is India  Pakistan or Bangladesh to issue such fatwas ? Will the Trinamool Congress take action against such people or support them for political benefit ?

Why do the so-called secularists and progressives who constantly talk about the Constitution not speak about it ?

Kolkata – Heads of a minority-dominated Adwaita Nagar village, with a population of around 12,000 in Murshidabad District issued a fatwa imposing ban on a series of activities which include watching television, playing carom, purchasing lottery and listening to music using cellphones and computers. The fatwa, under the banner of a social reforms committee, also prescribed monetary penalty ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 7,000 and sit-up by holding ears if anyone is found violating the dictate. The block development officer of Shamsherganj block, Joydeep Chakrabarty, said if anyone takes law in his hand, lawful action will be taken against him.

“We decided to impose a ban on a series of activities to stop the young generation from adopting methods which will lead to their moral and cultural degradation”, said Azharul Sheikh, the secretary of Adwaita Nagar Social Reforms Committee.

The committee issued the fatwa on 9th August and posters listing the banned activities were put up in every corner of the villages warning the local people of the consequences if they violate the dictate. The fatwa mentions Rs 1,000 fine if anyone is found watching television and using mobile phone or computer to listen to music. If a villager is caught consuming alcohol, he will not only pay Rs 2,000 as a penalty but also give sit-up for 10 times by holding his ears.

The local Trinamool Congress’ panchayat pradhan Abdur Rauf found nothing wrong in the fatwa. (This is the true face of Trinamool Congress. – Editor)