Author: TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 16, 2008
Harivanshrai Bachchan's magnum opus Madhushala,
which made him an overnight celebrity, has ruffled holy feathers here for
"its potential for promoting moral depravity and licentiousness in society,
particularly among youth".
On Friday evening, Shahar Qazi Lucknow, Maulana
Mufti Abul Irfan Ahmad Jaimul Aleem Qadiri, also the president of Idara-e-Sharia,
issued a fatwa against Madhushala. The book he decreed, "was anti Islamic
and also unfit to be taught at any academic institute". The edict by
the cleric, generally regarded as a liberal, has invoked a passionate debate
among literary circles.
Mufti Qadiri said a Muslim organization from
MP approached him on November 10 with a copy of Madhushala. "They had
sought my opinion over the wisdom of prescribing as text in schools and colleges
a book that eulogised alcohol and drunkenness."
The decree was passed after going through
the contents which "turned out to be hurtful to the sentiments of devout".
Bachchan sahab may have been a good shair but artistic license can be allowed
up to permissible limit which he crossed in his writings, the fatwa maintained.
