Daring to defy conventions to live together

Through her bold assertion, she has risked not only her own life but also that of her family members. They now face the threat of ostracism from the fundamentalist fringe in Malappuram. Not to speak of the threat to Nazar’s life.

For, Thasnibanu is a rationalist, hailing from the hardcore fundamentalist belt of Malappuram where rationalism is unIslamic and hence taboo. Her decision to marry Nazar was a fait accompli of circumstances, not the result of a rosy romantic interlude.

Thasnibanu is a final-year degree student of English Literature in the Manjeri Unity Women’s College and was the editor of the college magazine last year. The college unionwanted to invite progressive personalities for their function, but the college authorities objected.

Since the names had been publicised, this was embarrassing for the union team and they tendered their resignation. They were asked to continue till the function was over.

When the chairman tried to explain the circumstances which led to their decision to resign at the college union function, the college authorities reacted. Not only did they expel the college union chairman but also enforced strict religious diktats, like wearing of the veil and saying the prayers five times.

Thasnibanu came specifically into the fundamentalists’ hate list when she moved against their stranglehold. They nabbed her and abused her with obscene language when she tried to contact a friend over the telephone.

She reacted by summoning the police, but her father defeated her objective by carting her away without allowing her to file a complaint. He later put her under virtual house arrest.

Thasnibanu managed to get in touchwith her rationalist friends, but when they came to visit her, they were abused and a brother of her classmate was beaten up.

Which forced Nazar, a rationalist on friendly terms with her, to file a habeas corpus writ petition in the High Court here.

He produced letters written by her in which she wrote: "They want me to promise that I will not behave in an unIslamic way. How can I do it? If they do not allow me to study, how can I live? I came sixth among 100 students in the APTECH computer course. I have been selected to the table tennis team. Yet they want to stop me from going to college. But I cannot blame my parents. My mother tells me: You stop this atheist beliefs or I will slowly smoulder and die. You keep your beliefs in your heart. Or stand on your own feet."

Her parents were forced to produce her before the High Court on January 2. When asked whether she wanted to be with her parents or with Nazar, Thasnibanu had said neither’, opting instead to stay in a woman’s hostel here, seekingtime for a decision.

The decision came today. With its own consequences. "I wanted to marry someone who shares my convictions and I found Thasni. It is not romance, but a rational decision and a matter of conviction," explained Nazar to The Indian Express.

"But the fundamentalists," says Nazar, "came here today and threatened to kill me." In the normal course there should be no objection to Thasnibanu marrying Nazar because they both come from the same community and he is a well-to-do businessman.

"It is their refusal to have a nikah and opting for a wedding under the Special Marriage Act that has raised fundamentalist hackles," says Fauzia, State secretary of the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham.

Fauzia’s husband, Jabbar, a teacher, is the Sangham’s district secretary. Both had come to the High Court today along with a posse of rationalists to lend moral support to Thasnibanu.

"But," says Fauzia, "we are facing death threats. A group of National Democratic Front workers came to the courttoday and threatened to kill us unless we release Thasnibanu or arrange for a nikah. Even if Thasnibanu marries Nazar under the Special Marriage Act, they will not be safe and we have to seek police protection."

The Division Bench that pronounced today’s verdict comprised Chief Justice Om Prakash and Justice J B Koshy.