Shelter for Muslim Women In A Row Over Marrying Off Inmates As Second Wives

A shelter for Muslim women – Al Zubeida Madarasa – at Bharathi Nagar, Periyakulam town in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district is now in an eye of storm over its functioning. The Madrasa has been charged with marrying of its poor inmates to rich men as second wives, while some others inmates have been sexually harassed, reported Polimer TV.

An enquiry by official revealed that Al Zubeida was functioning without valid permission. The goings on at the Madrasa, which houses over 60 inmates brought from various parts of Tamil Nadu, came to light after two of the inmates escaped and sought refuge in nearby Vadugapatti. The inmates, both teens from Neyveli and Coimbatore, complained to the people that they were being subjected to untold sufferings at the Madrasa. When two of the Madarasa’s workers came to fetch the inmates, the public beat them up.

Police then arrested the workers after an enquiry, while government officials visited the Madrasa for further investigations.

Six months ago, a controversy arose at the same Madrasa over six of its inmates being tortured. The six were then handed over to their parents, police said.