A controversial marriage of a 40-year-old Muslim religious cleric and his former student (22) has sparked discussion in parts of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka.
The young woman’s parents have alleged that the cleric had already been married and had children before marrying their daughter. It has also reportedly created strong dissatisfaction among sections of Muslims, as some community leaders reportedly expressed anger over the cleric’s conduct.
The woman, Magadumma, is a 22-year-old daughter of Dawood Qasim of Betaguli in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district. The religious cleric has been identified as Ashraf 'Sa'adi (40) of Asaigoli in Mangaluru. Ashraf was a religious teacher at a madrasa in Kumta where Magadumma went for religious classes. Her parents have alleged that the two were in a relationship for about three years and he was working at the madrasa as a religious instructor.
Ashraf later left Kumta and moved to Mumbai. On 22 October, he reportedly came back to Kumta and took Magadumma with him to Mangaluru. They then got into Nikah (Islamic marriage), which was also registered officially. Shocked by the news, the woman's family started searching for their daughter after she was found missing from home. They went to Mangaluru, from where they approached Konaje Police Station, asking them to find out about their daughter and what transpired in the marriage.
As the matter reached the police, officers called Ashraf and Magadumma to Konaje Police Station for inquiry. The woman’s parents had also come to the police station hoping to make her daughter return home, but Magadumma reportedly refused to go with them. During the police inquiry, she told them she was an adult and wanted to continue living with Ashraf by her own choice. Her statement reportedly broke her parents. Family members were seen crying outside the police station when their daughter left with the cleric.
The controversy has been heightened by the parents’ allegations that Ashraf was already married and had children but hid this from their daughter before she got married; they have also alleged that he influenced the young woman when she was attending religious classes under his supervision.
Questions about the relationship between religious teachers and students (trust, personal boundaries, etc.) and the responsibility of those in positions of religious authority have arisen out of these allegations, although it is unclear if concealment of his previous marriage or circumstances surrounding the relationship were alleged separately.
The incident has reportedly caused resentment among sections of the local Muslim community. Some community representatives have criticised the cleric for his alleged behaviour, saying religious leaders should be moral role models and public trust must be maintained. Reports say some community leaders have decided to boycott religious programmes involving Ashraf as a result of the controversy. It is therefore no longer a family matter but an issue that is being discussed in the local community.
Meanwhile, Ashraf did not respond to questions from the media about the controversy and left with Magadumma. Her parents are still upset over this development. The incident has created a stir in Kumta as well as Mangaluru; the family’s allegations and the woman’s statement before police have become central to the controversy.
Since Magadumma is 22 years old, she said she wanted to live with her chosen partner. But if deception or undue influence was involved, then that would have to be looked into based on evidence and the law. More clarity will come once the circumstances of the marriage and the family’s complaints are known.
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