A Muslim girl has bagged the first rank in the Sanskrit Vedanta degree course conducted by the University of Kerala, dispelling the Hindu tag attached to that stream of education. 21-year-old Rahmath has emerged the topper in B A Sanskrit from the college run by the State Temple Affaires Board in Kollam.

Rahmath, a native of Kayamkulam in Trissur district, had first opted Sanskrit as a second language at the higher secondary level after abandoning Arabic, which she studies till Class X. She chose Sanskrit and Vedanta as she believed this language is a symbol of Indian culture’. “I have genuine interest in Sanskrit, which is part of our tradition and culture”, she said.

Rahmath said she did not face any resistance from her family or the community when she chose Sanskrit as her main subject. "In fact, my parents and others in the family encouraged me when I told them of my wish to join the BA Sanskrit Vedandta course. Teachers in my college also gave me total support", she said adding “I will pursue higher studies in Vedanta”. Rahmath wants to become an academic and researcher persuing the same subject.

Her father Abdul Latheef, an NRI said, “We were of the opinion that since she had studied Arabic in her religious classes, Rahmath could learn another language as part of her main- stream education.”

According to a Sanskrit teacher R Anand, the religious barrier towards Sanskrit is slowly crumbling. “Every year, two or three Muslim students join for Sanskrit degree course. Several Muslim students are pursuing post graduation and research in Sanskrit in the University of Kerala.”