Malayalam director Ali Akbar hits out at Muslim cleric, claims he was abused as a child

Malayalam director Ali Akbar has backed up journalist VP Rajeena's claims about child sex abuse in madrasas and claimed that he had been abused as a kid. Challenging Muslim cleric Kanthapuram Abu Backer Musliyar, Akbar said that the 'ustaad' who abused him was still alive and he would be willing to reveal details if Kanthapuram wanted. On Saturday, Kanthapuram had rejected Rajeena's claims that there were instances of child abuse in madrasas and asked for evidence.

Akbar was quoted by saying India Today: "if he's ready to accept my challenge I am ready to reveal the details. Why should I be scared of telling the truth? It is true that I am a victim of abuse at a madarsa." Kanthapuram had also said that gender inequality was un-Islamic and women didn't possess the mental strength that men did. "How many female heart surgeons do you see in the world? They do not have the mental strength. Men do. Women will shiver before the controlling power of a man. Women have other capabilities that men don't. They are meant for that only," said Kanthapuram was quoted saying.

Related read: (Kerala journalist attacked over her Facebook post on child sexual abuse in madrasas)