In the first week of August, Dawoodi Bohras in UK protested against their community leadership holding placards that read "No to social boycott" and "We want Democracy" among others.
A video that is being widely shared in the Dawoodi Bohra community in the city has brought to light issues that the members feel have resonated with them for a while but haven't been raised like they were by their fellow members in UK.
In the first week of August, Dawoodi Bohras in UK protested against their community leadership holding placards that read "No to social boycott" and "We want Democracy" among others.
"It is something that is not possible here," said a community member who did not wish to be named. "In India, this kind of protest is still not possible. There will be social boycott, " he added.
The members said that social boycott is one of the prominent issues of the community. "No one can say anything because they fear boycott. When the earlier Syedna was there, things were not so bad. With the present one, things have become more coercive," said another member.
He added, "Education is still encouraged but now there is a certain type of education. Women are said to do home science, they are making it mandatory to attend mosque and track attendance through e-jamaat cards, asking people to shut shop during Mohurrum, and Khafz. Why should we be forced to do anything?"
The members added that there have to be "reforms". "People in the mid-level agree but they too cannot do anything beyond a point. Since saying anything can lead to even not getting burial space, we just listen. The problem is that there are some who are blind followers," he added.
When DNA contacted Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin's office, excerpts from a reply from the PR department quoting a "senior community member" read: "We were disheartened to see the protests in Birmingham. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS) had visited the city at the request of the local congregation and we think the picketing by dissenters was designed to raise controversy around Syedna's visit.
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