Father denies permission to KWC for visiting Hadiya
KOCHI: With barely two weeks left for the Supreme Court to listen to Hadiya, the 24-year-old doctor who married a Muslim youth after her conversion to Islam, her parents who allege that their daughter’s marriage was a case of Love Jihad, denied permission to Kerala Women’s Commission (KWC) to visit her to allay fears and concerns expressed by human rights organisations regarding her safety and health.
“Hadiya’s father Ashokan denied permission to meet her. Her father Ashokan allowed the National Commission for Women (NCW) to visit his daughter whereas denied the permission for the sametothekeralawomen’scommission,” KWC chairperson MC Josephine told media persons in Kottayam on Tuesday.
“What kind of security issue could possibly be there when the state women’s commission visits which was not there when Rekha Sharma visited Hadiya?” asked Josephine.
She also questioned whether it’s only those decided by Ashokan are allowed to meet Hadiya. Josephine also expressed concern over Hadiya’s mental state. “Hadiya might be safe but not happy. It’s her family that must keep her happy,” she said. Josephine added that this situation with Hadiya cannot continue beyond Nov.27.
On Nov.6, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma had visited Hadiya and later told media persons that she was ‘safe, secure and happy’ at her parents’ home at Vaikom in Kottayam district. “Hadiya is in good health, is not being beaten up, she is eating, was smiling and is happy,” Sharma had said then.
Acting on a petition by her father Ashokan, Kerala High Court had annulled her marriage with Shain Jahan and sent Hadiya with her parents. Supreme Court, which had ordered investigation by National Investigation Agency (NIA) to check whether there is a Love Jihad angle to the case, will take up the case on 27th. On Oct.30, the court ordered Ashokan to produce Hadiya before the court on next sitting. The apex court’s direction came in the backdrop of news reports that suggested Hadiya was being tortured at her parents’ home.
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s orders, Ashokan had told reporters: I welcome the order of Supreme Court. I will produce Hadiya before the court on Nov.27. I don’t have any objection on my daughter marrying a man from other religion. But this is not a love marriage.