The latest crisis has erupted over the IUML leadership’s decision to freeze the state committee of Haritha, the women’s wing of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), which had complained to the

State Women’s Commission against MSF State president P K Navas and Malappuram district general secretary V A Wahab for allegedly making indecent and sexually vulgar remarks.

The crisis is likely to deepen as the Haritha leaders, who are unhappy about the leadership’s decision, are said to be contemplating en masse resignation from the organization. The severe mental trauma caused by the leadership’s decision seems to be forcing them to take the extreme action. Haritha leaders have also alleged that they were being pressurized to withdraw the complaint.

The complaint, made by 10 leaders of Haritha, has accused Navas and Wahab of taking an “oppressive anti-women stand” at the state-level meeting held at the MSF office in Kozhikode on June 22. Haritha had complained to the IUML leadership about the indecent remarks. As the leadership failed to take any action against the MSF leaders, Haritha made a formal complaint to the State Women’s Commission.

Displeased by Haritha leaders’ move, the IUML leaders summoned both Haritha and MSF leaders to a meeting held in the presence of IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty and Muslim Youth League state president Munawarali Shihab Thangal. Haritha leaders were asked to withdraw their complaint first before taking any action against the ‘guilty’ MSF leaders.

Haritha leaders, however, refused to heed the leadership’s request. They contended that enough time had been given to the IUML leadership to settle the issue. They approached the Women’s Commission as all that the leadership did was to give them assurances. It was the failure of the leadership to act that forced them to move the Women’s Commission, Haritha leaders pointed out.

The leadership then decided to freeze the state committee of Haritha. The move to complain to the Women’s Commission was an act of indiscipline, which cannot be tolerated. That was the contention of the IUML leadership.

The IUML action has evoked mixed reaction from the party itself. While the official section led by Kunhalikutty favoured action, another section which includes leaders like general secretary ET M Mohammed Basheer and party MLA, MK Muneer opposed the action. The decision, they felt, would show the party in a bad light and expose it to the charge of misogyny.

Haritha, however, contended that the IUML bosses did not consider the report of the MSF national leadership, demanding action against Navas on the issue. Meanwhile, police have registered a case against Navas and Wahab on the recommendation of the State Women’s Commission. In another development, the party has sought an explanation from Navas and Wahab within two weeks.

The latest crisis has erupted even as the IUML is struggling to shake off the effects of the earlier row over the angry outburst of Mueen Ali Thangal against IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty. Mueen had accused Kunhalikutty of being responsible for the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate to his father and IUML state president Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal in connection with the problems faced by the Chandrika daily, the mouthpiece of the party. It is a testing time for the IUML leadership. Much will depend upon what the Haritha leaders would do now. Will they quit the party? Or will the storm blow over? That is the million dollar question. (IPA Service)