Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer has expressed strong criticism of Muslim clerics for their apparent "silence" surrounding the tragic suicide of a young doctor driven by dowry demands.
Addressing the National Minority Day celebration organized by the State Minority Commission at the Kannur District Panchayat Hall, the Speaker deplored the absence of a response from religious scholars, characterizing it as a condemnable "crime."
Shamseer underscored that, following Muslim religious law, the acceptance of dowry is deemed a criminal act. He highlighted the disturbing fact that, despite the parents of the young man making dowry demands, the religious scholars chose to remain silent. He emphasized that this silence played a contributing role in the heartbreaking suicide of Dr Shahana.
During the event, Shamseer candidly remarked, "I have often been persecuted for telling the truth."
The 26-year-old doctor, a postgraduate student in the surgery department of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, tragically took her own life on December 5. Allegedly, her boyfriend had called off their wedding due to her family's inability to meet the dowry demands imposed upon them. Dr Shahana was discovered lifeless in her rented apartment.
Subsequently, on December 8, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) took action by suspending Dr Ruwise EA, who is accused of being involved in abetting the suicide of the 26-year-old doctor in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident has sparked discussions surrounding the societal and religious dynamics contributing to such unfortunate outcomes.
