Agra: The new notice of the Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi Party government, pertaining to appointment of Urdu teachers to government-run schools has sparked widespread protests among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.
The notice for appointment of 3,500 Urdu teachers says: “All those who have two wives, both living, will be considered non-eligible for the post. Also, female candidates who are married to a man who has two wives, both living, will also be considered non-eligible.”
While the Muslims have been calling this rule to be discriminatory, justifying the move the government officials say that it has been done only to avoid confusion with regard to payment of widow or widower’s pension.
However, the Muslim clerics refuse to accept this explanation.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, Imam of Lucknow’s Eidgah and member of the Muslim Personal Law Board told Times of India that the government cannot impose such conditions when it comes to recruitment of staff.
“There is a provision for four marriages in Islam. Even though just about one percent of Muslim men have two wives, such conditions should not become part of the job application process,” he opines further adding that if a man leaves behind him two wives, the pension can be divided among the two wives, rather than snatching away a man’s right to job.
(Agencies)
