MANGALURU: A documentary by a Mangalurean is set to expose the truth that Muslim girls in Dakshina Kannada schools are barred from taking part in stage shows.

Swargada Hadiyalli Kamaruttiruva Kanasugalu, a documentary by journalist Irshad Uppinangady, throws light on Muslim girls being barred from performing on stage after they cross primary school.

The film portrays how a few Muslim heads in Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur restrict girls from dancing on school days and at other cultural events.

Irshad has documented how mohallas use Islamic tenets to stop talented girls from performing, and the documentary discusses how child rights are being violated in the name of religion.

Made by Irshad with cameraman Kiran Kumar, the short film will be released in Bengaluru by chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Kripa Amar Alva, on July 25. Irshad told TOI it took nearly a year to complete the 30-minute documentary, that explains the plight of talented Muslim girls.

“I found during my stint as a journalist, that Muslim girls in many places in the district are not allowed to perform on stage during school events. Clerics in the villages of Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur taluks ask parents not to allow their daughters to dance or perform at any cultural programme on school days and other events. The clerics label girls dancing on stage as going “against religious tenets” and kill their dreams. These leaders are denying girls the opportunity to showcase their talents,” Irshad said, adding, “it is a violation of child rights and my aim is to stop such practices to allow talented Muslim girls come forward.”

“I have spoken to Muslim girls of many government and private schools in the district. The documentary includes anecdotes of children and opinions by child rights activists and writers, who condemn the religious diktat that forbids Muslim girls from dancing on stage. I have also included versions of Muslim leaders, who argue in favour of this religious diktat,” he said.

The documentary will be screened in Mangaluru soon after its release at Yavanika Auditorium, Nrupathunga Road, in Bengaluru. The Journalist Study Centre Central Committee is facilitating the release, he added.

