Kerala photographer's studio burnt down days after he questions Islamic traditions

A few days after a photographer from Kerala, Rafeeque Taliparamba, questioned certain Islamic practices including the tradition of 'Purdah' on a WhatsApp group, his studio was burnt down. Rafeeque's studio was found burnt down to ashes at 2.00 am on Sunday morning. The studio had equipment and furniture worth Rs 7 Lakhs, which were charred in the fire. 

Rafeeque said that after he expressed his opinion on the Whatsapp group 'What is Islam' of which his friends and acquaintances were also a part of, he was supported as well as criticised. He added derogatory messages and threats against him were circulated in the app and on Facebook. He said that there were threats which threatened that he would be ostracised for his remarks.

"It was not a public forum, but a group of people who knew each other. This was my personal opinion that I shared and I have faced a lot of vitriolic attacks because of it. Now my livelihood has been affected," Rafeeque had been quoted by media as saying.

The Taliparamba police is investigating into the case and closely monitoring the members of the Whatsapp group where Rafeeque expressed his views.