Kanthapuram’s comments on women unsuitable for modern Keralam, says CM Satheesan
A circular from Mr. Kanthapuram had advised women to avoid sharing stage or public space with unrelated men during religious celebrations
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan dismissed Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar's recent disparaging remarks about women's suitability for public roles in modern Keralam. Speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, after a Cabinet meeting, Satheesan firmly stated that such views are incompatible with the progressive ethos of contemporary Kerala.
He emphasized that neither the Congress party nor the state government could endorse Musliar's stance, deeming it outdated and regressive.
Musliar, the general secretary of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama and Grand Mufti of India, had previously requested mahals and madrasas under Samastha to ensure that religious programs adhere strictly to Islamic norms. This directive included a prohibition on women sharing stages or public spaces with unrelated men during religious festivals, and a ban on integrating cultural practices from other traditions into Islamic celebrations.
Speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, Musliar warned that allowing women to participate in public life would result in "great destruction" and that Islamic law mandates purdah, a form of modesty, to safeguard women from such perceived dangers.
The comments by Musliar triggered widespread condemnation, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress leaders, as well as women's organizations, sharply criticizing him. Muslim Jamaat, a prominent Muslim organization, unequivocally condemned the Chief Minister's remarks, urging him to issue an apology. Muslim Jamaat argued that the Quranic texts and Islamic history illustrate numerous instances where women played significant roles in public spheres, such as Khadija, the first wife of the Prophet, who was a successful businesswoman, and Ayesha, another wife who led an army in battle.
Satheesan rebutted Musliar's assertions by citing historical and scriptural evidence, asserting that the misinterpretation of Islam led to such misguided comments.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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