Muslim Fishermen In Tamil Nadu Are Harassed By Christian Fishermen On Religious Grounds
By Syed Ali Mujtaba,
New Age Islam
13 August
2024
A case of
harassment of two Muslim fishermen in Kadaiyakudi village in Thoothukudi district
of Tamil Nadu has come to limelight where three Christian missionaries backed
fishermen societies, are harassing two Muslim fisherman Muhammad Frango and
Eesa Jebastian for converting to Islam.
The
Christian societies have threatened the Muslims fishermen to either leave
Kadaiyakudi village as none other than RC Christian faith can live there or the
convert and seek forgiveness from the Church.
The
Christian societies are harassing the Muslim fishermen by not renting them
tractors to push their boats from the shore to the sea. It is impossible to
push any boats into the sea without tractors.
The
Christian society’s members say that tractors are only meant for Christians and
cannot be given to the Muslims.
Eesa
Jebastian, who is secretary of one of the Christian societies’ was expelled on
the ground that he is no longer Christian, hence can’t be a part of it.
This
controversy has resulted in the formation of an anti-Muslim syndicate
comprising of members of all three Christian fishermen societies, the members
of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Thereafter a complete social-boycott for
Muslim fishermen started in Kadayakudi and their livelihood has been blocked
since June 2023.
Earlier one
fisherman named Meno from the same place who had converted to Islam was also
treated in the same way and he left Kadaiyakudi and also his fishing
profession.
At the
intervention of the district administration a solution was found to arrange
money to purchase a new tractor for all communities so that this dispute ends
and the livelihood issues of fishermen gets restored.
However,
when the tractor was given to the Muslim fishermen, now it was opposed by the
syndicate that ‘Muslim tractor’ is not allowed in Kadaiyakudi.
The
district administration again intervened and the syndicate agreed for all
communities’ tractors to operate and also allowed selling of fishes by other
communities in the same market as others.
But the
very next day the syndicate declared an indefinite strike, stating that there
will be a law and order situation in Kadaiyakudi because of this ‘Muslim’
tractor. As a result, the tractor is denied to the Muslim fishermen till now.
The media
is indulging in anti- Muslim anti- Islam propaganda and the Muslim fishermen
are on the receiving side and being denied from telling their side of the
story.
The two
Muslim fishermen approached me to put up their version of the story saying that
their income has stopped for almost one year and they have sold their boat’s
engine and a few other things for their survival.
In conclusion
the duo said their hardships have made them much stronger and have firm belief
in Allah and by Almighty’s blessings they will be rewarded with justice soon.
Muhammad
Frango can be reached at 9345164584 and Eesa Sebastian can be contacted at
8667310550.
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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism