Thiruvananthapuram, August 24: Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has addressed a social media post referencing a World Bank study. The study reveals that migrants returning to Kerala from Saudi Arabia hold more conservative views on gender violence and exhibit extreme attitudes towards physical violence against women.
Tharoor described these reports as “disturbing” and raised concerns about the influence of conservative social perspectives acquired abroad. He emphasized that Kerala has long been a center for the liberal and progressive practice of Islam, which aligns with the state’s prevailing coexistence and communal harmony.
He also highlighted Kerala’s record of providing equal education to Muslim girls and women, equating their opportunities with those of boys and men.
According to Tharoor, “The report indicates that the importation of conservative and even reactionary views and customs from abroad fundamentally differs from Kerala’s longstanding identity.” He called for serious self-reflection and internal dialogue within the Muslim community.
The post that prompted Tharoor’s response referenced findings from the World Bank study, which examined whether migration from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries has influenced gender norms among returning migrants in Kerala.
The study identified a significant difference between those returning from Saudi Arabia and those returning from the Gulf region overall. Compared to individuals with no migration experience, those returning from Saudi Arabia exhibited three standard deviations more conservative views on gender-based violence.
Interestingly, a contrasting pattern was observed among a broader range of migrants returning from Gulf countries.
Conducted under the World Bank’s Global Practice on Social Sustainability and Inclusion, this research investigates the social implications of migration beyond the substantial economic benefits derived from funds sent back from Gulf countries.
Researchers cautioned that these findings establish a correlation but do not prove that migration to Saudi Arabia itself causes conservative attitudes.
Tharoor’s response to the study’s findings and the post that highlighted them has sparked a potentially sensitive conversation in Kerala regarding the social and cultural impacts of migration from Gulf countries and whether perspectives acquired abroad are being brought back to the state.
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