Cultural tensions in Sri Lanka have risen once again. In recent events, one of the country’s nationalist newspapers Divaina published a front-page cover story, accusing a Muslim Doctor of sterilizing his patients without their consent.
The case has received centralised coverage from the country’s media channels since the article about Doctor Shegu Shihabdeen Mohamed Shafi was published. He has been held accountable for unlawfully sterilizing around 4,000 Buddhist Sinhalese women after their caesareans deliveries.
The allegations have raised hostilities between Muslim and Buddhist communities on the Island. The latter group have seen the case as a way of members of the Islamic faith increasing their birth rates and widening their influence. Over 600 women have come forwarded since the story has been released but only 147 are now declaring themselves as victims. It is probable that an even fewer number will agree to have themselves tested, only after which can the case proceed based on forensic evidence.
Shafi was arrested shortly after the story about him was published. His supporters claim he is innocent and there is no independent evidence to support the charges against him. He has been detained in police custody and attending court for his criminal proceedings. He has however, been denied a plea for bail.
Anura Bhandara Mattegoda, Shafi’s lawyer has stated: “All the charges are baseless and fabricated.” Mattegoda has been pleading Shafi’s innocence as he is currently being detained under Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism laws. He has additionally been accused of laundering money to buy real estate properties. Moreover, those rallying against him have asserted he is associated with National Thowheed Jamath, one of the two terrorist groups who were responsible for the Sri Lanka Easter bombings earlier this year.
Pradeem Kumar, a middle-aged driver who accompanied his wife to a local hospital so she could lodge a complaint, was left feeling angered. He said: “If these allegations are proven, it will show that they want to destroy the Sinhala race.” His wife detailed how Shafi had delivered their only daughter by C-section more than a decade ago. They have been trying to have a second child since and had been unsuccessful.
Shafi’s wife Fathima argues strongly that the allegations against her husband are false and entirely made up. “He is being targeted because of political problems and jealousy. I cannot exactly tell who it is, but there is a group,” The Kidney Doctor is aged 43 and works at the same Hospital as Shafi. She has pulled their 3 children out of school and taken time off work since the ongoing case.
Only time and scientific analysis will determine whether Shafi is innocent or guilty, however, whether the political unrest between Sri Lanka’s religious communities will subside remains unknown.
Manisha Bhanot.
