ALIGARH: Days after a woman journalist working with a Malayalam newspaper in Kerala came under online attack following her disclosure about alleged sexual exploitation of children in madrassas, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is likely to take up the issue in their December 9 meeting in Amroha.

Kamal Farooqui, member of the board, told TOI on Wednesday that though the matter of sexual abuse in madrassas was not initially on the agenda, as the agenda is decided months back, it will, in all likelihood, be debated.

“There is a possibility that board members might want to put their point of view across regarding it. However, since the agenda of the board was decided months ago and the issues pertaining to sexual abuse came to light only recently, the issue is not officially marked for discussion,” Farooqui said.

The journalist, V P Rajeena, had faced a lot of criticism after she went public through her posts on Facebook talking happenings in madrassas which she claimed she had witnessed during her childhood. Rajeena, in her post, narrated how madrassa teachers allegedly used to "inappropriately grope" both boys and girls who came for religious studies. Her post led to a furore and she was flooded with obscene messages and open threats on her profile. Facebook closed down her account temporarily.

But soon after this, Ali Akbar, a Malayalam film director, alleged that he too had been sexually exploited by an ustad (teacher), following which he stopped going to the madrassa.

Zafaryab Jilani, another AIMPLB member, said what is more likely to be discussed is Article 377. “Politicians have expressed their views on Article 377. They are voicing their opinion on the decriminalization of homosexuality. Arun Jaitely said it recently. This is a bigger issue and more likely to crop up at the meeting," he said. "Sexual abuse in any one madrasa is an individual case. The board is more focused on debating policy-level issues. But if someone wants to put their point of view, we cannot stop them."