An Islamic outfir stroked a controversy in Kerala after it reportedly conducted classes on "gender politics" for a group of medical students by making male and female students sit separately in a room divided by a curtain. According to news agency PTI, the incident took place in Thrissur district of Kerala where classes were held by the Islamist group called Mujahid Wisdom Islamic Organisation. Topic of the discussion was LGBTQIA+: Behind the rainbow flags: Understanding LGBTQIA+ from an Islamic perspective.
The event came to light after an office-bearer of the group which conducted the class posted a photograph of the same on social media. Several other outfits such as Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, Student Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the ruling CPI(M), and others have strongly condemned the conduct.
Even the group defended its action saying there was "nothing wrong".
In the social media post, the officials of Mujahid Wisdom Islamic Organisation said that the expenses of the classes were borne by the group. He also said that the group was of the view that they can put up a screen or curtain as they wished to segregate the two sexes.
When criticised for his post on Facebook, the office bearer responded to a user and wrote: "Just show your frustration and go babies." Futhermore, he also justified the classes and said that they were held in a private space.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, SFI State president Anusree told PTI that it was a matter of concern that highly educated students are taking part in the classes. "Students with high educational qualifications becoming part of such campaigns are a matter of concern. SFI views this as a major challenge," Anusree said.
The Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad condemned the classes and wondered why no one questioned as to why there was the curtain. Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad is a progressive people science movement in the state.
"Those who took the class did not explain why there was a curtain and those who attended the class did not question the need of a curtain," office-bearers of the Parishad said.
As the incident started garnering more criticism, The students' union of the Government Medical College, on its official page on the social media, clarified that the class was not held on its campus.
"Religion is a personal matter. The college is in no way connected to those classes organised by a section of people who follow religion. It's condemnable that the news about the classes being held in a religious place was falsely being circulated, they were conducted on the campus. Neither the college administration nor the college union has any role in the conduct of such classes. The college does not encourage such acts. We always stand by progressive thinking," the statement read.