In today's Deccan Edition it was reported, that on Monday women from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind held protest rally in Chennai against installing condom vending machines in public places. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind women's wing convener Fathima Jalal Said:
"The government is spreading condom culture through these vending machines under the pretext of fighting AIDS. By this our society will grow more permissive and our youth will be ruined"
People who express such ridiculous views need to take serious note of graveness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The fact that at least 5.1 million people are living in India with HIV refutes their claim, that the society will become more permissive, to the contrary, figures suggest that we are already more indulgent and its better to accept the fact & should take precautions than denying it. Since we are having world's second largest HIV infected population and considering that 20 million people had already died all around the world and 40 million are effected with HIV, we need to be much more sensible and be proactive in dealing with the crisis. Fathima goes further by announcing that:
"The rally today is just the beginning. We will not rest until all these machines are removed. We will involve all the women's organisations, not just Muslim, in our fight against this dangerous decision,"
Also Government-appointed chief qazi, Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub declares:
"Islam prohibited use of condoms. This is not a right move"
Protesters displayed placards, which states that:
Condom vending machines are a "serious aberration" and they condemn it. They also proclaimed that the only way to protect society against HIV/AIDS is "to fear God and change our lifestyle".
These machines are placed in public places for easy accessibility and to encourage their use. These religious fanatics have no business demanding anything in our secular, free & pluralistic society. Importantly, none are alluring these religious people to use them!, they can die their own death when contracted with AIDS but they cannot take away others right to have easy access to condoms, so they can safeguard against this epidemic!.
3 comments:
They are looking at the other side of the coin. I dont have anything against it, but I dont think installing these vending machines would anyway reduce the risk of contracting HIV. For a despo ... where there is a will, there is a way :)
Empathising with the protestors, I imagine what this could lead to ..
Jayan,
Their views emerge from the assumption, that the people are held back from committing immoral acts due to fear of contracting HIV and now with these condoms being available easily, there will be increase in illicit sex. But the fact that many people already had contracted HIV, shows us that desperate will take risk without condoms :), so it is better to accept the fact that we have prostitution & illicit sex in our society and provide these machines, where people can go and buy them easily without feeling shy or being bothered.
Point well made Shuuro....
Sometimes these kinda things make me wonder whether, we as humans are ruining the true meaning of a believer!
Post a Comment