Indian Muslim cleric blames Pakistani dramas for high divorce rate in India

SAHARANPUR: Prominent Deoband cleric Maulana Qari Ishaq Gora has blamed Pakistani television serials for spreading “poison” within Muslim households, according to a report by Indian media organisation India Today.

The cleric also reportedly alleged that these shows are sowing discord and contributing to an increase in divorce cases. Inadvertently, his statements also signal that Pakistani serials are watched in high frequency in neighbouring India, despite myriad bans on Pakistani TV channels.

Speaking at a community event in Saharanpur, the Maulana claimed that the content of Pakistani dramas, often revolving around family disputes and domestic tensions, was damaging the fabric of Muslim family life in India.

“Pakistani TV serials have filled our homes with conflict and resentment. They are destroying family harmony and are one of the main reasons behind the growing number of divorces,” Gora said.

He criticised the recurring themes in such serials, which frequently depict ongoing conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, men as oppressors, and women as helpless victims. “These negative portrayals are shaping how people behave at home and poisoning real relationships,” he added.

The cleric accused Pakistani media of exerting a harmful influence on Indian Muslims and urged the community to distance itself from such entertainment. “Television has poisoned our homes. Many women today spend their time watching these dramas instead of focusing on Islamic education. As a result, domestic violence and separations are on the rise in our society,” he said.

Calling on Muslims to safeguard their households from the “toxic effects” of modern media, Maulana Gora urged a return to Islamic teachings. “If we want love, peace, and blessings to return to our homes, we must make the study of the Qur’an and Islamic culture part of our daily lives,” he urged.