Random Thoughts After Aluthgama
By Kumar David -June 25, 2014
Prof. Kumar David
The Holy Prophet lay in a deep reverie when a vision appeared to him. He conveyed the words uttered to him by the apparition and this was how of the Holy Book came to be set down in writing. Last week I was in a reverie pondering the consequences of the Aluthgama incidents when four thoughts came to me out of cyberspace. I believe they are worth sharing with others and including in a discussion though last week’s spike in anti-Muslim violence may have subsided for now. As in 1983, the regime realised within a few days that this kind of overt high-intensity violence is a public relations liability. But small scale local violence that does not draw too much international media attention can be expected to persist.
Here are the four seminal thoughts that descended on me from cyberspace.
First, with Aluthgama, anti-Muslim violence by the state and its clients, has taken on a momentum and life of its own, like anti-Tamil violence, and no longer requires conscious direction by the state, the regime or prominent players like the BBS. Could this lead, as with the Tamils, to displacement of communities, counter violence and even armed resistance by the Muslim Moors? It’s too early to say, but it is worth noting is that even last week there were retaliatory attacks by the Moors; something that was absent in 1983 on the part of Tamil non combatants. The willingness of ordinary unarmed Moors in the affected areas to retaliate is not without significance. The Moors, unlike the effeminate Tamils, have balls. The racist mobs and the government must have realised that if they go on the rampage they will be punished, not by the law non-enforcement forces of the state, but by ordinary Muslims. Read More
Hijab Case: “Issue Arose After New Appointment Of JBV Principal”; SC Observes
June 25, 2014
Justice Priyasath Depp today observed that the banning of the Muslim cultural dress at Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya was subsequent to the new Principals appointments, after Provincial Council Authorities and the Principal undertook to permit the Muslim parent to enter the school in her cultural attire.
“This happened after the new Principal was appointed. Prior to this there was no issue” he observed.
When the case was taken up today before a bench comprising Justice Priyasath Depp, Justice Buwaneka Aluwihare and Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, the respondents said that they were willing to settle the issue by permitting the parent to enter the school in her cultural attire.
Earlier a parent of the Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya in a Fundamental Rights application said that the Principal of the school had prevented her and thereafter abused her when she visited the school in her cultural attire.
Her attire includes a head scarf and gown.
The Petitioner alleged that the Principal violated her constitutional rights and was bringing the government into disrepute by her actions.
Sanjay Rajarathna DSG appeared for the state, Manohara De Silva appeared for the Principal, Tishya Weragoda appeared for the Provincial Council authorities while M.M Zuhair together with Hafeel Fareez and Charith Samaradiwakara appeared for the Petitioner.
