Kerala CM rejects cleric's remarks on women as 'unacceptable'
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday strongly opposed remarks by Sunni Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar suggesting that women should remain confined to their homes, saying such views were not in line with the state's progressive tradition.
"We have absolutely no agreement with that statement. It is not a position that suits progressive Keralam. We cannot agree with it in any manner," Satheesan told a press conference after a state Cabinet meeting.
The controversy stems from comments Kanthapuram made at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, where he said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to "great destruction" and that Islam prescribed purdah for women to prevent this. A circular issued by the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama reportedly said women should not be present on public platforms or share stages with men.
Satheesan cites women leaders from Islamic history
Satheesan described Kanthapuram's assertion that great ruin would follow if women entered public platforms and that the Quran called for women to remain indoors as "unacceptable". He called the position more suited to the 19th century and said it had no place in the 21st century.
"Women are not people meant to live confined within four walls. Our progressive stance is that they must participate in all aspects of life and be part of the mainstream," he said.
The Chief Minister also argued that Kanthapuram's position was inconsistent with Islamic history and amounted to a misinterpretation of Islam. He cited the example of Khadija, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad, whom he described as a successful businesswoman, and Aisha, another wife of the Prophet, who he said participated in the Battle of the Camel and played a leadership role.
Satheesan also referred to Queen Bilqis, saying Islamic history records her as a ruler. "A woman running a business, a woman who was a supreme commander, a woman who was a queen—all this exists within Islamic history," he said.
The Chief Minister also recalled an incident during the time of Caliph Umar when a woman questioned a decision regarding mahr (dower), and the ruler acknowledged that her argument was correct. "Women were present even in the royal assembly," he said.
Political reactions
The remarks have drawn reactions from across the political spectrum. IUML Kerala president Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal had sought to play down the controversy, suggesting that Kanthapuram may have intended the restriction for the 'benefit of women' and that the cleric's call for restrictions could be understood as an appeal for greater social control.
A BJP leader, speaking to The New Indian Express, attacked the UDF government over Kanthapuram's remarks and questioned the alleged silence of several ministers on the issue. The remarks also drew sharp criticism from CPM leaders and women's organisations, according to the same report.