India: Activist Rehana Fathima expelled from Muslim community
Event- Country
- India
- Initial Date
- Oct 21, 2018
- Event Description
The house of activist Rehana Fathima, one of the two women attempting to enter the Sabarimala temple, was attacked Friday morning. Two unidentified bike borne people attacked her house in Kochi and threw stones. Additionally, initiating action against Rehana, Kerala Muslim Jama'ath Council president A Poonkunju said in a press statement Saturday that she had been expelled from the community. He said the Council has also directed the Ernakulam Central Muslim Jama'ath to expel her and her family from the membership of Mahallu. "Her act hurt lakhs of Hindu devotees," the statement said. Her act was also against the rituals of Hindu community, it said. Rehana, a model and activist who was part of the 'Kiss of Love' movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, was among the two women who had reached the hilltop, but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Ayyappa devotees. Rehana and Hyderabad-based journalist Kavitha were taken to the hills with heavy police protection. A mother of two and employee of the BSNL, the activist had kicked up a row last year by posing for topless photos with watermelons in protest against a Kozhikode-based college professor's statement comparing women's breasts to watermelons. Meanwhile, a case has been registered by police in Pathanamthitta against the activist for hurting religious sentiments. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by one Radhakrishna Menon. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then chief justice.
- Impact of Event
- 1
- Gender of HRD
- Woman
- Violation
- Intimidation and Threats
- Judicial Harassment
- Reprisal as Result of Communication
- Rights Concerned
- Freedom of association
- HRD
- Freedom of religion/belief activist
- WHRD
- Perpetrator-Non-State
- Non-state
- Source
- Monitoring Status
- Pending
- Summary for Publications
On 19 October 2018, Rehana, a model and activist who was part of the 'Kiss of Love' movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, had her house raided. She was then banned from the Muslim community after allegations that her activist work was anti-Muslim. A complaint has also been fined against her for hurting religious sentiments.