Kerala CM Calls Grand Mufti's Remarks on Women '19th Century Views'

Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has strongly rejected remarks by Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who said that women entering the public sphere would lead to "great destruction" and that Islam prescribes purdah to prevent it. Satheesan said neither his government nor his party would stand by such a position.

"No, we do not agree at all with his statement that if women enter the public sphere it will cause great ruin, and that the Quran says women should remain submissive and stay inside their homes. We cannot agree with that stance in any manner," the Chief Minister said.

He described the cleric's view as an anachronism, stating, "Something that used to be said back in the 19th century, is being stated in the 21st century. Women are not meant to live submissively inside homes. Our stance is a progressive one, that women should participate in all aspects of mainstream life."

Satheesan went further, arguing that Kanthapuram's reading was a misinterpretation of Islam. He cited the Prophet's first wife Khadijah as a major businesswoman, Aisha's role at the Battle of the Camel, and Queen Bilqis as examples of influential women in Islamic history. He also recalled an account from Caliph Umar's court where a woman questioned a decision to reduce the Mehr, and Umar acknowledged she was correct.

Kanthapuram made the remarks at a Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi on Sunday. He used the analogy of a gold necklace kept in a cupboard and a box, versus stone grinders left on the roadside, to argue that women's seclusion preserves their dignity. He claimed the Quran says women should remain confined within their homes and that Samastha scholars had taught this for 100 years.

The controversy follows a circular issued by Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama, directing local committees, mosques, and madrasas to keep Islamic celebrations within religious limits and avoid bringing young women among unrelated men on public roads and stages.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar hit out at the cleric, saying girls in Kerala would not be pushed into medieval seclusion. He also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy for not condemning Kanthapuram's statements, despite his calls to "smash the patriarchy."

The Indian Union Muslim League, a partner in the ruling cabinet, declined to take a position, saying religious organisations have their opinions and the League has its own political stand.