Expelled Haritha leaders reinstated in Muslim Youth League
Former leaders of Haritha, the women's student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)-affiliated Muslims Students Federation (MSF), were reinstated on Tuesday, April 30. The women, who were facing disciplinary action for raising sexual harassment allegations against MSF leaders, have now been given leadership positions in the Muslim Youth League, the youth wing of the IUML. Fathima Thahliya, former Haritha state president was appointed as state secretary of the Youth League, while Mufeeda Thesni and Najma Thabsheera have been appointed as national vice president and national secretary respectively.The IUML had earlier dissolved Haritha’s state committee, and it is after a gap of three years that these women have been brought back to leadership positions. In 2021, ten leaders of Haritha, including then MSF national vice president Fathima, state president Mufeeda, and general secretary Najma accused MSF leaders PK Navas and V Abdul Vahab of sexual harassment. They said that Navas and Vahab called them “infertile feminists” during a state leadership meeting in June 2021, and also accused Navas of referring to them as “prostitutes”. The Haritha leaders had told the media back then that they went public with their allegations because no action was taken by the IUML based on their complaints. It was in response to this that the IUML took the anti-female stand of altogether dissolving Haritha’s state committee.After being reinstated within the Youth League, Fathima Thahiliya told TNM that they consider this as a positive step. “It is evident that this era demands women's political representation and the IUML seems to have recognised that. We see this as a positive gesture from the party. The League has also taken a stand on this matter earlier and the creation of Haritha itself is an example of that,” she said. Fathima is the first woman to be part of the Youth League’s state committee.When asked about the comeback, Fathima told TNM that despite the disciplinary action, she continued to work in the field. “I don’t think we need any party designation to continue our work. I was part of the Youth League and kept doing my work. So I don’t think this is a comeback,” Fathima said. She also said that this is the same with both Mufeeda and Najma. “We always wanted to work with the party, and the party also wanted that. That’s why they considered our names now. This position is a responsibility and we will strive to do our best,” Fathima told TNM.Meanwhile, Latheef Thurayoor, former state general secretary of the MSF, who had extended support to the Haritha leaders in 2021, has also been reinstated as the national vice president of MSF. Understanding the ‘Haritha moment’: The gendered turn in Kerala’s Muslim politicsYour subscription fuels our journalism. Subscribe to TNM and keep the stories that matter alive.
FORMER leaders of Haritha, the women's student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)-affiliated Muslims Students Federation (MSF), were reinstated on Tuesday.
The women, who were facing disciplinary action for raising sexual harassment allegations against MSF leaders, have now been given leadership positions in the Muslim Youth League, the youth wing of the IUML.
Fathima Thahliya, former Haritha state president was appointed as state secretary of the Youth League, while Mufeeda Thesni and Najma Thabsheera have been appointed as national vice president and national secretary respectively.
The IUML had earlier dissolved Haritha’s state committee, and it is after a gap of three years that these women have been brought back to leadership positions.
In 2021, 10 leaders of Haritha, including then MSF national vice president Fathima, state president Mufeeda, and general secretary Najma accused MSF leaders PK Navas and V Abdul Vahab of sexual harassment.
They said that Navas and Vahab called them “infertile feminists” during a state leadership meeting in June 2021, and also accused Navas of referring to them as “prostitutes”.
The Haritha leaders had told the media back then that they went public with their allegations because no action was taken by the IUML based on their complaints. It was in response to this that the IUML took the anti-female stand of altogether dissolving Haritha’s state committee.
After being reinstated within the Youth League, Fathima Thahiliya told TNM that they consider this as a positive step.
“It is evident that this era demands women's political representation and the IUML seems to have recognised that. We see this as a positive gesture from the party. The League has also taken a stand on this matter earlier and the creation of Haritha itself is an example of that,” she said. Fathima is the first woman to be part of the Youth League’s state committee.
When asked about the comeback, Fathima told TNM that despite the disciplinary action, she continued to work in the field. “I don’t think we need any party designation to continue our work. I was part of the Youth League and kept doing my work. So I don’t think this is a comeback,” Fathima said.
She also said that this is the same with both Mufeeda and Najma. “We always wanted to work with the party, and the party also wanted that. That’s why they considered our names now. This position is a responsibility and we will strive to do our best,” Fathima told TNM.
Meanwhile, Latheef Thurayoor, former state general secretary of the MSF, who had extended support to the Haritha leaders in 2021, has also been reinstated as the national vice president of MSF.
Your subscription fuels our journalism. Subscribe to TNM and keep the stories that matter alive.
