KOZHIKODE: Moral goons are having a free run in Malabar and the police remain mute spectators as young couples are chased, threatened and even assaulted.
In response, the DYFI will observe a ‘Tea of friendship’ protest against moral policing at Parappanangadi on November 29 and many social activists have come out in support of this.
Vadakara and Parappanangadi have emerged as the capital of moral rowdies. Even after several cases of harassment and assault were reported from different places in Malabar, no rowdies have been arrested.
Police say they cannot act unless they get a written complaint, but the fact is that when someone mocks at the law and order situation, police do not need a paper complaint to act against such persons.
A couple of days ago in Parappanangadi, two teachers belonging to different religions were chased, stalked and threatened for riding on a bike and having coffee at a restaurant in the town.
“They almost pulled the woman out of the two-wheeler and asked her how a ‘Muslim’ woman could ride pillion on a bike with a Hindu youth?
The cadre shouted at them and abused them in vulgar terms. When the girl walked back to the bus stop, they followed her and harassed her. Nobody did anything to stop these thugs,” Abdul Rahman, a Parappanangadi native, told Deccan Chronicle.
In another incident a week ago at the same place, a Muslim girl was pulled down from a two- wheeler when she was coming with her teacher to the school and she was forced to wear the veil by a gang.
“The girl’s mother had asked her to go along with her teacher, a Hindu youth, on the bike. However, before they could reach the school, another gang blocked the bike on the road and pulled down the girl.
She was then forced to wear the veil and was accompanied by them till she got into the school,” Sooraj Kumar, another Parappanangadi resident, said.
When contacted, Mr Assainar, DySP Tirur, said that no such cases had been brought to his notice so far. “We will take action if there is a complaint or if such an issue is brought to our notice. No such moral policing activities will be tolerated,” he added.
Several such cases were also reported in Vadakara but no action has been taken by the police so far. Many such cases go unreported as the affected parties do not approach the police or the media for fear of further harassment.
