Residents of Kumarsanda village in West Bengal’s Rampurhat sub-division claimed that a “fatwa banning music and band parties” during any marriage or celebration was issued by “senior people” at the local madrasa last Saturday.

The residents claimed that the ‘fatwa’ also bans alcohol, gambling and ‘ganja’. It was allegedly circulated via social media apps like WhatsApp. It reportedly carried a warning saying that if any of the residents “do not follow the fatwa”, they would have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000, and their families would be shunned and denied access to the masjid.

Following the residents’ claims, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Rampurhat said that an enquiry had been ordered in connection with the matter. “…After getting a detailed report, we will take action. But no one can issue such a fatwa,” the SDO said.

One of the villagers, identified as Jahangir Sheikh (34), claimed, “The Maulvi of this masjid recently returned from Mecca. After that, he thought the village should be purified. So, we think that is probably the reason for issuing such a fatwa in the village.”

However, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Nalhati-2, Rajat Ranjan Das, said that he had no information or any complaints regarding the issue. The village, bordering Murshidabad, is in the Nalhati-2 block of Birbhum district.

“We don’t have such information but if villagers make such a decision, we will have to obey that,” local panchayat pradhan Ripan Sheikh said.