Kerala: Dad, godman held in feed denial case

Kozhikode: The police has arrested the father of the newborn and the ‘godman’ over the denial of breastfeeding at Mukkam here. Omassery native Aboobacker (34) and Hydros Ali Thangal (72) were charged under Sections 75 (cruelty to child), 87 (abetment to commit a crime) of Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children) 2015. Mukkam SHO Sanalraj said the arrested were produced before a Thamarassery court and remanded on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at E.M.S Cooperative Hospital, Mukkam. Aboobacker’s wife gave birth to a baby boy at 2 pm, and he prevented his wife from breastfeeding saying it could be breastfed only after hearing prayer call from a mosque five times (24 hours) as the Thangal insisted. He even threatened to divorce his wife if she defied and the intervention of doctors and police failed and the baby was breastfed the next day afternoon.

Soon, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) intervened and ensured action police action. “According to the Thangal, he had only given a direction to Aboobacker that it would be better to breastfeed after hearing prayer calls. Thangal told Aboobacker that he followed that custom when his grandchildren were born,” said Mr Sanalraj. Though Aboobacker’s wife was an accomplice, she was let off on humanitarian grounds.

The incident underlines considerable clout the ‘godman’ enjoys in rural areas. He has huge supporters in and around Chatham-angalam, Kallanthode areas and he used to ‘treat’ patients at home. Many ‘godmen’ survive by providing the blessed ‘holy water’ in canes to all kinds of illness to ward off evil. Devotees-cum-patients take the cans after putting currencies in the hundika.

Sources say the Thangal's activities were disrupted after public anger outpoured against the fake Swamis and Mullas after the arrest of Santhosh Madhavan in 2008. But he resurged after a short duration. Aboobacker was a frequent visitor seeking his opinions on all matters ranging from construction of his house to family affairs. On Saturday, Aboobacker took to Facebook to apologise for his act.  “Superstition and mental agony led to the deplorable situation. I was misguided and underestimated the importance of breastfeeding," he said.