Patil’s purdah remark courts controversy

Once a non-controversial Governor of Rajasthan, UPA-Left candidate for the Presidential elections, Pratibha Patil now finds herself...

Once a non-controversial Governor of Rajasthan, UPA-Left candidate for the Presidential elections, Pratibha Patil now finds herself in the centre of controversy. Her remark on the purdah system at a function in Udaipur on monday has upset Muslim leaders. Patil had said that the purdah was introduced to save women from Muslim invaders.

Patil was in Udaipur to attend a function held to mark the 467th birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap. When addressing the gathering, she said: “Maharana Pratap always ensured that women had a status in society. Women have always been respected in the Indian culture. The purdah system was introduced to protect them from the Muslim invaders. However, times have changed. India is now independent and hence, the systems should also change.”

Patil said that doing away with the purdah system—which still continues in the state—and many other traditional practices will ensure that women are respected in society. “Now that women are progressing in every field, we should morally support and encourage them by leaving such practices behind,” she added.

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While historians disagree with Patil’s statement on the purdah system, local Muslim leaders are upset. Varsha Joshi of the Institute of Rajasthan Studies said that the separate zanana practices were prevalent in the state even during the 11th Century, much before Muslim invaders entered India. “Muslims invaders had nothing to do with purdah system in Rajasthan. Here Rajput leaders did not allow their women and daughters to go out without veils,” Joshi said.

Mohammad Salim, state president of Jamat-e-Islami Hind said that it was unfortunate that Patil chose to publicly express her communal views. “Her views are so similar to those of the Sangh Parivar, which are baseless. It was quite surprisingly that Patil, who is believed to be a well-read and educated person, can have such views,” Salim said.