Nimisha Priya isn't off the hook, but politics of credit has peaked

India Today

6 days ago

Seven years after Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya was sentenced to death in Yemen in 2018 for the murder of a Yemeni national, she was scheduled to be executed on July 16. But hours before the death sentence was to be carried out, reports said that the execution had been postponed due to the intervention of Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar.advertisementThe deferment, credited to the Kerala-based Musliyar, the 'Grand Mufti of India', may have provided temporary relief for Priya and her family through his intervention. But as her fate remains uncertain and further negotiations continue in Yemen, a battle, political in nature, over Musliyar's credit for the reprieve has erupted on Kerala's social media. Political parties, religious groups, and organisations, including the Nimisha Priya Action Council, are clashing online over who deserves the credit and also who does not.The ruling CPM, which is considered close to the influential AP group led by Musliyar, swiftly praised his humanitarian intervention in securing the postponement, and showing "the real Kerala story".
Meanwhile, Samuel Jerome, who heads the Nimisha Priya Action Council, and had been advocating for her release for years, claimed that no religious leader played a role in delaying her death sentence, and all talks happened at the government level.NIMISHA PRIYA CASE AND MUSLIYAR INTERVENTIONNimisha Priya, a 38-year-old nurse from a Christian family in Kerala's Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2008 to pursue better job prospects. She later partnered with Talal Abdo Mahdi to establish a clinic in Sanaa. The relationship soured when Mahdi allegedly harassed her, claimed her as his wife publicly, and withheld her passport.In 2017, attempting to retrieve her passport, Priya sedated Mahdi, leading to his death from an overdose, according to Yemeni authorities. She was convicted of murder in 2018, and Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council upheld the death sentence in November 2023. With India lacking diplomatic relations with Yemen's Houthi-controlled government, efforts to save Priya relied on unconventional channels, including negotiations for "diyya" (blood money) to secure a pardon from Mahdi's family.Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, a prominent Sunni scholar and leader of the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, emerged as a key figure in delaying Priya's execution."I intervened as a human being. In our dealings with society, we do not consider religion or caste," Musliyar told the media, adding about his outreach to Yemeni Islamic scholars to explore legal possibilities under Sharia law. He noted that the scholars assured cooperation, and an official court notification, which Musliyar's office watermarked and circulated, confirmed the postponement.advertisementMusliyar's network included ties with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and other top Middle Eastern leaders.CPI(M) PRAISED MUSLIYAR, HIGHLIGHTED 'TRUE KERALA STORY'Back in Kerala, the postponement sparked a debate over who should claim credit, and who should not.The CPM, which is aligned with the Musliyar-led AP group, one of the half-dozen Muslim community-based groups in Kerala, was quick to crown him the "favourite Musliyar" for delaying the execution.CPM State Secretary MV Govindan praised him, saying, "No amount of appreciation is enough for what Kanthapuram Musliyar has done. He has truly become everyone's favourite Musliyar".Govindan highlighted Musliyar's humanitarian efforts and Kerala's secular values. He, for obvious reasons, also noted the CPM state government's proactive role, including memoranda sent to the Prime Minister and Union Foreign Minister.However, posts on X reveal a polarised narrative. One user criticised the Kerala media for overemphasising Musliyar's role, arguing it overshadowed India's diplomatic efforts."Kerala media is bending over backwards to praise religious leader Kanthapuram as if a religious figure holds more sway than an entire nation's diplomacy. What nonsense," wrote a person.Meanwhile, the MEA said it had no information to share about "Musliyar's role".advertisementOn being asked about the Musliyar's role in negotiations, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said, "As for the role of the entity you have mentioned, I have no information to share on this account"."This is a sensitive matter, and the Government of India has been offering all possible help," Jaiswal said, adding that legal aid was provided, a lawyer appointed, and regular consular visits arranged for Priya. We're in touch with local authorities and the family to resolve the issue. Efforts were made recently to get more time for Nimisha Priya's family to reach a settlement. Her execution, scheduled for July 16, has been postponed. We're following the matter closely and also speaking with friendly governments," he added.NO RELIGIOUS LEADER INVOLVED: NIMISHA PRIYA ACTION COUNCILSamuel Jerome, who led the Nimisha Priya Action Council advocating for years for the nurse's release and respite, said that no religious leader was involved in the postponement of Nimisha Priya's death sentence. He clarified that all discussions were held at the government level. Jerome had been working closely with Priya's family back in India for years now.He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Ministry of External Affairs, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Indian Embassy officials, MLA Chandy Oommen, and Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar for their efforts in postponing Nimisha Priya's execution.advertisementThe Nimisha Priya Action Council further clarified that the central government acted through the Saudi Embassy. Samuel also said that Sheikh Abdul Malik Mehaya from Saudi Arabia played a key role in engaging with the Yemeni government.'CRORES FOR RAHIM, NOT A RUPEE FOR PRIYA,' SAID CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION IN 2024The Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (Casa), which shares a cordial relationship with the BJP, previously supportive of Priya's plea, faced backlash for reversing its stance after reports of Musliyar's intervention came in.Initially, Casa's Malappuram unit had criticised the lack of support for Priya compared to another case. "There are people ready to spend crores on Rahim, but no one seems willing to raise even a rupee for Nimisha Priya," it said in 2024.Now Casa President Kevin Peters has questioned government intervention with convicted citizens abroad, asking, "What message does a country like Bharat send when it intervenes to help people convicted of crimes overseas?"The change of stance of the Casa was spotted by people, from strong support for Nimisha Priya, a fellow Christian, to sudden silence after reports of Musliyar's intervention, with some raising questions about CASA's alignment and selective advocacy.Despite the politics over credit and the postponement of the hanging, Priya's fate still hangs in the balance, with no final decision yet on her execution. But the politics of credit-taking has peaked in Kerala.- Ends(with inputs from Ajmal Abbas)Tune InMust Watch