The Darul Uloom Deoband, a towering institution of Islamic scholarship in India, has once again slammed the door shut on women, literally. Its latest decision to bar all female visitors from entering its campus, citing “disruption” caused by social media reels filmed without veils, exposes not just an administrative concern but a systemic, patriarchal grip disguised as religious piety.
This marks a return to stricter policies after the institution had lifted a previous ban in November 2023, allowing women limited entry under a set of specific rules. However, the management claims that many of these conditions were flouted, prompting a full reinstatement of the prohibition on Tuesday.
The ‘Veil violation’ excuse
According to officials, numerous women had begun visiting the campus in increasing numbers and reportedly filmed reels and videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok—often without wearing veils. These videos, which found their way to social media, were described as “disrespectful” to the seminary’s culture and were said to cause distraction among students engaged in religious and academic learning.
“Filming of reels by women without veils was creating disturbances and disrespecting the seminary’s sanctity. It had begun to affect the concentration of our students,” said a management person.
Complaints poured in from faculty and students about the growing presence of visitors who allegedly came not for educational purposes but to film content in the historic campus, undermining the seminary’s traditional and conservative atmosphere.
Timeline of the ban and its relaxation
Maulana Mufti Rehan Qasmi, who oversees the office of the vice-chancellor, detailed the chronology of the decision. On May 17, 2023, a complete ban on women’s entry was first imposed after multiple reports of disruptive behaviour and misuse of mobile phones for social media content creation.
Later, in November 2023, the seminary lifted the ban partially, allowing women conditional access to the campus, subject to several restrictions:
- Mandatory wearing of the veil (purdah).
- Must be accompanied by a mehram (male guardian).
- Mobile phones to be deposited at the gate.
- Visitors to be issued passes valid for two hours only.
However, according to Qasmi, “These guidelines were frequently disobeyed, with many entering unaccompanied or filming videos despite the phone deposit requirement.”
Due to continued violations, the new ban was enforced on Tuesday, July 30, and applies with immediate effect. No woman, whether a relative of staff or a general visitor, will be allowed into the premises under the revised rule.
A reflection of deeper control
Founded in 1866, Darul Uloom Deoband is no stranger to ultra-conservative policies. It proudly adheres to a hardline interpretation of Islam that bars co-education, strictly separates genders, and often views technological or cultural shifts, especially those involving women, as threats to tradition.
It has historically barred co-education and implemented gender-based restrictions in line with traditionalist interpretations of Islamic teachings.
This is not the first time the seminary has made headlines for controversial decisions involving modern technology and social behaviour. The new restrictions reflect an ongoing tension between traditional religious values and the modern digital age.
Where are the rights of women activists?
The right to education, freedom of movement, and access to religious institutions are fundamental rights in any modern democracy. Yet, places like Darul Uloom operate in their own ideological silos, where women are tolerated only under suffocating restrictions or not at all.
Some questions need to be answered:
While male scholars are groomed here for global recognition, women are denied even the chance to step onto the campus.
What message does it send when a leading Islamic seminary in democratic India bars half the population from entering its gates?
And most importantly: When will institutions like Darul Uloom be held accountable for entrenching institutional misogyny?
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