Kerala HC puts curbs on activist Rehana Fathima for referring to meat as ‘gomatha’ in show

• Court admonishes Fathima for purposefully hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus through social media.

• Instead of imposing a ban on Fathima for uttering a word while hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus, a stringent punishment should be taken against her such as barring her for lifetime from using social media.

Fatima who deliberately hurts the feelings of Hindus

 Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – The Kerala High Court 23rd November passed orders to restrict activist Rehana Fathima from disseminating her opinions and comments through any visual and electronic medium in connection with a case filed against her for the usage of the word ‘gomatha’ (mother cow) as a substitute for meat during one of her cookery shows.

The activist, who has repeatedly courted controversies on social media, had used the term ‘gomatha’ number of times as a synonym for the meat that she was cooking on the show.

Justice Sunil Thomas, hearing a petition that sought to recall the bail given to the activist in a 2018 case citing her repeated ‘objectionable’ posts on social media, noted that her usage of the word ‘gomatha’ is likely to wound the religious feelings of lakhs of Hindus.

“There is absolutely no material before this court to show that ‘gomatha’ is used as a synonym for meat anywhere in India. Choice of the word appears to be ill-motivated and purposefully made and that uploading of such a highly objectionable video for public viewing may affect the fundamental right of the devotees,” the order read.

Fathima had made such objectionable comments earlier also for which she was arrested. While observing on her application for bail, the Court said, ‘it is your last chance. If you do not behave properly, you will have to pay heavily for it’.