In Surat, a member of the Dawoodi Bohra community has sought direction from the Human Rights Commission and the Gujarat High Court claiming the community has boycotted her and other family members socially and financially from the community. This is due to her ‘uncovering’ scams committed by the religious leaders.
Zohra Cyclewala, who is a manager of a community cooperative bank branch, was socially boycotted by the Ameel (the name given to the regional religious head of the mosque) of the Dawoodi Bohra community after she accused the leaders of ‘scamming’ the community members. When Zohra Cyclewala negated to accept the Ameel’s decision, she took it to the High Court, only to result in threats of dire consequences if she proceeded with the allegations. She has even filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
”The entire thing happened when I issued notices to community leaders to repay the loans they had taken from the bank. The leaders did not want to repay the loans and so hatched a conspiracy against me and they asked me to resign. When I refused to do so, the Ameel boycotted me socially and financially from the community,” said Zohra.
To exert pressure on Cyclewala, the Ameel and other high members of Jummat Committee at the Sami village in Banaskantha, alienated her brother Tamim, who also lived in the village. The Ameel cut all basic facilities and supplies to Tamim’s family, which shocked Zohra Cyclewala. This is what pushed her to lodge a complaint at the local police station.
”I visited my paternal house in Diwali last year and this gave a chance to the clerics to take revenge and they even targeted my brother. This is ridiculous. How can they socially boycott my brother?” she said, adding “Tamim is totally devoted to Dr Syedna Saheb and he has never acted against the community even after the boycott. I am going to pursue the case and will fight till I get justice
Recent Comments