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Self-flagellation not a must to follow Imam Husain

Irfan Engineer is director of Centre for Study of Society and Secularism which has won the 2013 Award for Communal Harmony given by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony. He is also editor of Indian Journal of Secularism.

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Recently the Bombay high court, disposing of a public interest litigation, directed the religious leaders of the Shia community to debate among themselves and deliberate upon whether to include children in the Maatam procession where self-flagellation is practiced. The high court order leaves the responsibility of taking the decision to the community leaders. Shia Muslims should take the initiative and prevent children from joining the procession. They should go a step further and advise even adults not to use excessive violence on themselves.

A very small number of Shia Muslims undertake violent self-flagellation with sharp instruments that inflict deep wounds. Most only beat their chests with their palms. The poor and marginalised sections within the community tend to undertake more violent self-flagellation as compared to the middle and upper classes. It is their way of overcoming their hopeless situation and of reposing faith in God.

Violent self-torturing practices are associated with other religions too. For instance, piercing various parts of the body and performing rituals such as walking on burning coals. Some sociologists argue that such rituals appease the collective appetite for violence.

Allowing children to witness and participate in such acts of gory violence could normalise violence in their everyday life. It would enhance the social appetite for violence in the long run. Violence is illegal when inflicted on others, but immoral even when inflicted on self. The right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion is subject to public order, morality and health under Article 25 of the Constitution. Immorality is writ large, more so when children are involved. The state would be within its jurisdiction if it banned children from joining Moharram processions.

It is unfortunate that the tradition is justified in Imam Husain's name. He did not inflict torture upon himself. He stood up to a tyrant for truth and justice, even if it meant facing certain death. Between life and the righteous path, Imam Hussain chose the righteous path. Does self-flagellation once a year resemble his great deed, when those who flog themselves otherwise prostrate before every petty tyrant, witness all sorts of injustices without a whimper, and run for undue favours? To follow the Imam is to stand up for truth and against injustice in the face of certain death.

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