By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net,

Mumbai: That Supreme Court rejected the plea of a student who sought
permission for sporting beard in his school has sent a wave of anger
among the Muslims. The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM)
has expressed its dismay at the observation of the judge.

Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi, general secretary of All Indian Ulama
Council, while talking to TwoCircles.net called the decision
‘sorrowful’ and said, ‘The verdict is the result of the judges being
influenced by the propaganda of communal elements against Islam. No
one has the right to interfere in religious affairs. Muslims are duty
bound to grow beard and therefore those not doing so consider
themselves to be sinful.’ He asked if there was no objection on namaz
(prayers) then why on beard.

Supreme Court judge Markandeya Katju speaking for a bench headed by
justice Raveendran on Monday rejected the petition filed by Saleem
Ahmad, student of a minority school in Madhya Pradesh and said that SC
can not allow Talibanism in the country. He added can SC allow if
tomorrow a girl student comes and seeks permission for putting on
burqa?

In a statement Mushawarat strongly objected to the use of the world
‘talibanisation’ by the judge. “A Muslim’s request to be allowed to
grow beard cannot be equated as “Talibanisation” of the country,” read
the statement by Muslim umbrella body.

Markandeya claimed that he is secular to its core but he said that
religious beliefs should not be overstretched.

The advocate of Mohammed Saleem, B A Khan had said that the student be
allowed to grow beard as it was mandatory upon every Muslim as per
their religion.

But Markandeya said that as per the section 30 of Indian Constitution
every minority institution is entitled to make laws and run heir
institutions accordingly. Every student of the institute must abide by
its regulations.

‘The rule of the institution contradicts the Constitution that
provides complete freedom to ever citizen to practice his religion. To
grow beard is religious obligations upon Muslims. Why there is no
objection on Sikhs keeping beard? This should not be an issue rather
Muslims should be given complete freedom in a secular country,’ said
Haroon Mozawala, general secretary of Khair-e-Ummat Trust.

Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, President of the AIMMM, said that it is very
unfortunate that a Supreme Court judge should nurse such biased and
communal ideas and hide behind his claim that he is “a secularist to
the core”. Our idea of secularism does not deny religious people their
right to abide by their religion in a peaceful way which does not hurt
anyone else in any way. Rather, true secularism means that the State
will not have an official religion and that it will not interfere in
the religious beliefs of its citizens.

The media spokesperson of Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Maharashtra Gulzar Ahmad
Azmi said, ‘The decision is utterly wrong. The organizations taking
care of Muslim issues especially All India Muslims Personal Law Board
should be concerned about it. We should challenge the decision issued
by the two-member bench before a three-member of five-member bench of
judges because it directly harms our basic rights.’

AIMMM is planning an appeal against the judgment.