'Not 19th century': Kerala CM slams cleric over 'women should stay home' remark

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has firmly rejected remarks made by Sunni cleric Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who advocated for restrictions on women's participation in public life. Satheesan, speaking to reporters, stated that the state government does not endorse Aboobacker's position that women should remain at home, asserting that such views have no place in a developing Kerala.

He emphasized that even Islam does not require women to be confined to domestic life, and that the 21st century does not warrant such antiquated statements.

Labour Minister Bindu Krishna also criticized the cleric's remarks, asserting that they undermine women's constitutional rights and push them back centuries by challenging their freedom and liberal rights. The controversy arose following Aboobacker's comments at the Hubbul Rasul Conference in Kochi, where he defended the Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama's directives that restricted women's participation in religious events and public gatherings.

The Kanthapuram faction issued a circular prohibiting women from being present among unrelated men at religious events, as well as limiting their involvement in public spectacles and processions. Aboobacker, while defending these directives, invoked the Quran and argued that women should remain within their homes to protect their dignity.

He stated that allowing women unrestricted access to public spaces could lead to chaos and destruction, insisting that such measures are intended to honor and safeguard women rather than demean them.

Despite facing criticism and opposition, Aboobacker remained defiant, stating that he is not concerned with political criticism and that no one can silence him or force him to change Islamic doctrines.