India: Madras University cancels lecture by Amina Wadud

Police force Madras University to cancel Islamic feminist’s lecture
Arun Janardhanan, TNN | Jul 30, 2013

CHENNAI: A scheduled lecture by an Islamic scholar from the US was on Monday scuttled by police who cited possible law and order problems in view of opposition by Muslim groups. Amina Wadud, considered an Islamic feminist, was to deliver a lecture on 'Gender and Reform in Islam' at the University of Madras.
On Sunday night, while Wadud was waiting to fly from Kozhikode to Chennai, vice chancellor R Thandavan hastened to call off the programme, following a text message from city police officer who said: "Police cannot allow this (the lecture) considering law and order (sic). Please take action to suspend / cancel the programme."

PK Abdul Rahiman, head of the Centre for Islamic Studies, said it was frustrating to be "dictated" by people from outside the university. "This has set a wrong precedent of police interfering in university programmes. We've lost an opportunity to host an internationally renowned scholar," said Rahiman. Wadud's books are part of the Islamic Centre's curriculum.

A senior police officer said the decision to stop the lecture was taken at "a higher level."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Police-force-Madras-University-to-cancel-Islamic-feminists-lecture/articleshow/21473157.cms