Author: PTI
Publication: Haindava Keralam
Date: November 6, 2006
URL: http://haindavakeralam.org/PageModule.aspx?PageID=2244&SKIN=B
Criticising a fatwa issued by a cleric asking
Muslims not to administer polio drops to their children, Gujarat Health Minister
Ashok Bhatt today said this could affect the mass vaccination drive in the
country.
Bhatt was reacting to a misinformation campaign
in Muslim-dominated areas of Godhra that claimed polio drops caused infertility.
According to social activist Saleem Ismail
Sheikh from Godhra, the Urdu monthly Tameer-e-Hayat published from Lucknow
had carried an article in its September issue that questioned the effectiveness
of the polio vaccine and said it caused infertility. It gave the example of
Nigeria where it claimed ulemas have issued a fatwa against polio drops.
Because of this misinformation campaign, 413
of a total of 490 recent polio cases were reported from the country, Bhatt
said.
Bhatt said he would investigate as to who
circulated such a fatwa and take action against them after investigation.
Panchmahal district's Development Officer
R J Patel, in-charge of the polio vaccination campaign in Godhra and other
parts of the district, said a meeting of local Muslim leaders would be held
on November 9.
