Men and women should share pregnancy: Muslim cleric mocks gender equality

The secretary of Jamiat Ulama has mocked gender equality with an outrageous comment on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, he said, ""If you want equality, why don't men and women carry pregnancy for 4.5 months each?"

The Maulavi was reacting to proposal that women above 45 years old could be 'allowed' to go for Haj if they go in a group. 

The Haj Committee has made a set of recommendations for the framework of new Haj Policy. Fewer embarkation points for Haj pilgrims, travel to Mecca by ship, and allowing groups of women above the age of 45 years to travel with men are some of the key points. The committee submitted the proposals to Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in Mumbai on last Friday. 

The committee also suggested a redistribution of Haj seats among the state according to the Muslim populations. It also suggested the ratio between pilgrims going through the Haj Committee of India (HCOI) and those travelling by registered Private Tour Operators (PTOs) should be divided in the ratio of 70:30, and recommended a 'robust' portal to be made for PTOs. 

The Minority Affairs Ministry had constituted a committee to review the existing Haj policy and suggest changes for the policy between 2018 and 2022. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Sunni Barelvi clerics have denounced the suggestions calling them "un-Islamic". According to them, it would force women to work against Sharia.