Husband-wife dispute turns communal in Kerala

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

Till the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist came along, it was a minor, low-key affair -- just another of those property disputes that happen all the time in Kerala.

But now it has developed into a dispute with dangerous communal tinges to it.

Biyathu, a Muslim woman, has been agitating for 245 days in Nadapuram (in Kozhikode district), demanding a due share in her former husband V Andhru Haji's property. The CPI-M pitched in with their support to her, and the agitation which, till then, was Biyathu versus Haji started to change hue.

Muslim fundamentalists entered the fray, and are now as much solidly behind Andhru as the CPI-M is behind his former wife. Support for both swelled up and the matter has assumed dangerous proportions.

"Both the parties are adamant about their stands," District Collector Manoj Joshi told the Rediff On The NeT. "The situation can flare up any moment."

The CPI-M entered the scene with a sit-in before a lodge owned by the Gulf-rich Haji on August 18, 1996. The party wanted his property to be divided as per the Islamic Shariat (laws).

For his part, Haji -- well backed by several fundamentalist organisations including a section of the Indian Union Muslim League -- claims he has already paid Biyathu more than what Shariat prescribes, and there is absolutely no question of paying her more.

Haji, besides his wealth in Kerala, also owns a restaurant in Sharjah. He had divorced Biyathu 20 years ago.

The Muslim fundamentalists accuse the ruling party of interfering with family affairs of a minority community.

CPI-M legislator A Kanaran says Haji had at one stage agreed to pay Rs 1.46 million to his former wife, but backed out on the fundamentalists's insistence. He also complained of threats against his life from these groups.

The district officials, who have been trying to solve the issue amicably, held several reconciliation meetings with the parties, but without success. Another meeting is scheduled for Sunday. The authorities have also stepped up security in Nadapuram.