LDF likely to announce its candidate for Nilambur bypoll in a day
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ruling LDF is likely to announce its candidate for the Nilambur byelection within a day. Though a number of names have been doing the rounds, former footballer U Sharafali and DYFI leader P Shabir are the current frontrunners.
'The party has been looking at all possibilities. However, now with Shoukath as the UDF candidate, the Left too would most likely choose a Muslim candidate who would contest in the party symbol. The announcement would most likely happen on Tuesday itself,' said a senior Left leader from Malappuram.
The CPM leadership was keenly watching the developments in the UDF camp in order to zero in on its own candidate. The party wanted to cash in on any resentment within the opposition camp. The party would take a decision after considering multiple aspects, including community equations and possible resentment within the Congress camp.
Former footballer and State Sports Council president U Sharafali, DYFI district president P Shabir, former Marthoma college principal Prof Thomas Mathew and district panchayat member from Vazhikadavu, Sherona Sara Roy are among the probable names that are doing the rounds. Sources said CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj too is under consideration. A section of local party cadres and leaders are keen to see a senior leader like Swaraj contesting. The leadership has, however, tasked him with handling the election campaign.
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The politics of burkinis: Mandatory for women in Syria, banned in several European countries
Syria's Islamist-led government now requires women to wear burkinis, head to ankle swimwear, while going to public beaches, citing 'public interests'. France was among the first nations who doubled down on the burkini by banning it in public pools, citing secularism and security concerns a few years ago. Why is the swimwear at the centre of a cultural tug of war? read more Syria's new Islamist-led government has introduced a fresh set of modesty rules, now requiring women to wear burkinis or similarly 'decent' swimwear that covers most of the body at public beaches. File image Reuters Swimwear might not seem like the most obvious battleground for global politics, but the burkini, a full-body swimsuit worn by many Muslim women around the world, has become exactly that. While France and couple of European nations have doubled down on banning it in public pools, Syria is moving in the opposite direction, now requiring women to cover up with burkinis. The garment is now at the centre of a cultural tug-of-war, with nations picking sides over what women in their country should—or shouldn't—wear. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, why is Syria pushing burkinis? Why is France so against them? And how did a simple full-body swimsuit spark a countrywide debate? Here's a closer look. Syria's push for burkinis Syria's new Islamist-led government has introduced a fresh set of modesty rules, now requiring women to wear burkinis or similarly 'decent' swimwear that covers most of the body at public beaches. The dress code doesn't stop there. Outside of swimming areas, women are expected to wear loose-fitting clothes, while men have been banned from going shirtless in public spaces. But the rules come with a catch: they don't apply everywhere. Private resorts and luxury beach clubs are exempt, and according to Syria's tourism ministry, 'Western swimsuits are allowed' at such venues—so long as they stay within the boundaries of 'general morals,' it says. Syria's new Islamist-led government has introduced a fresh set of modesty rules, now requiring women to wear burkinis or similarly 'decent' swimwear that covers most of the body at public beaches. File image/ Reuters In general public settings, Syrians are being asked to 'wear loose clothing, cover the shoulders and knees, and avoid transparent and tight clothing,' the ministry said. However, there was no clear explanation of how these rules would be enforced. This move marks a major cultural shift for the country, coming just six months after Islamist forces ousted long-time leader Bashar al-Assad. The government says the updated beachwear rules are meant to reflect 'the public's interest.' The move has sparked mixed reactions across the country, reigniting debates about personal freedoms under the new authorities who took power in December. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why France has banned burkinis The burkini debate in France first made global headlines in 2016, when several coastal towns banned the full-body swimsuit. Officials claimed it went against the country's secular values and could be a security threat. Images of police officers forcing a woman to remove her burkini on a beach sparked global outrage, but the bans continued. Some cheered French 'morality' police forcing a Muslim woman to take off clothes #BurkiniBan — Joseph Willits (@josephwillits) August 24, 2016 Since then, the issue has remained hotly contested. In 2022, the city council of Grenoble attempted to lift the ban on burkinis in public swimming pools after pressure from local activists. But the move was quickly struck down by France's highest administrative court, which said the decision violated the country's commitment to 'neutrality of public service.' Then-Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin hailed the court's ruling as a 'victory for secularism.' But many Muslim women felt the law wasn't protecting freedom; it was restricting it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But at the heart of this Burkini ban in France is its deep-rooted model of secularism, or laïcité, which insists on keeping religion firmly out of public institutions. File image. Reuters Fatima Bent from the Muslim feminist group Lallab called the ruling 'a clear step backwards.' She warned it would only deepen the exclusion of women who cover their heads and bodies in public spaces. Yes, some women are pressured by family or cultural expectations to dress a certain way, she said. But that's not the whole picture. 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STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Austria has not only been tough on the burkini, but has also called on politicians to ban the wearing of the niqab and headscarf in public. Italy Italy has enforced one of the strictest penalties for burkini wearers. Since 2009, women wearing burkinis at beaches or swimming pools can face a fine of up to 500 euros. Belgium The mayor of Antwerp referred to burkinis as wearable 'tents' after a decision was issued to ban them several years ago, stirring protests by Muslim women. Germany Germany has had a complicated relationship with the burkini. While some regions banned it from beaches and pools citing hygiene or safety reasons, others have seen those bans overturned in court. In one landmark case, a Muslim woman in Koblenz successfully challenged a local burkini ban in swimming pools—and won. Despite this, several cities in Germany still impose unofficial restrictions or social pressure against wearing burkinis or veils in public spaces. Where did the burkini come from? The burkini was created in 2004 by Lebanese-Australian designer Aheda Zanetti, who wanted to give Muslim women the option of modest swimwear that was also practical and safe for the water. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zanetti got the idea after watching her niece struggle to join a netball team because of her clothing. 'My niece wanted to play netball but it was a bit of a struggle to get her in the team — she was wearing a hijab,' Zanetti wrote in The Guardian editorial. d 'My sister had to fight for her daughter to play, had to debate the issue and ask, why is this girl prevented from playing netball because of her modesty?" 'When she was finally allowed to play we all went to watch her to support her and what she was wearing was totally inappropriate for a sports uniform — a skivvy, tracksuit pants, and her hijab, totally unsuitable for any type of sport. She looked like a tomato she was so red and hot!" 'So I went home and went looking for something that might be better for her to wear, sportswear for Muslim girls, and I couldn't find anything." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, she decided to make it herself. The name 'burkini'—a blend of 'burqa' and 'bikini'—may sound like a contradiction, but the design was all about balance: giving women the freedom to enjoy the water without sacrificing their comfort or beliefs. Over time, the burkini found popularity beyond just Muslim women. It gained traction among cancer survivors, women seeking sun protection, and those who simply preferred more coverage without judgment. In 2023, the burkini made headlines once again when Erica Robin, Pakistan's first-ever Miss Universe delegate, competed in the swimsuit round wearing a baby pink burkini with a metallic neckline. Her appearance in the international pageant was hailed as a breakthrough moment. Erica Robin, Pakistan's first-ever Miss Universe delegate, competed in the swimsuit round wearing a Burkini. Reuters With input from agencies
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
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Time of India
3 hours ago
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