K.T. Jaleel Defends Kanthapuram's Remarks, Cites IUML Women Leaders' Conduct

Former Kerala Higher Education Minister and CPI(M) leader K.T. Jaleel has come out in support of veteran Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, whose recent remarks on women have sparked controversy. In a social media post, Dr. Jaleel argued that the cleric's statement was a response to an ongoing debate within the Muslim community, particularly among Sunnis, over the public conduct and positions of women leaders in the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its student wing, Haritha.

Dr. Jaleel claimed that the behaviour and stances of some IUML women leaders are being discussed within the community as inconsistent with prevailing Islamic beliefs. He said it was against this backdrop that Mr. Kanthapuram issued his cautionary statement. He also noted that the IUML leadership's silence on the matter was significant, naming State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, and MPs Abdussamad Samadani and P.V. Abdul Wahab as those who stayed out of the debate.

According to Dr. Jaleel, the cleric's remarks were aimed at urging IUML leaders to apply Islamic principles on women within the Vanitha League and Haritha as well. He emphasised that Mr. Kanthapuram, as a religious scholar, has the right to express views based on religious teachings, and that others are equally free to disagree.

Drawing a parallel with the Sabarimala women's entry controversy, Dr. Jaleel argued that differing views on religious and social matters should be permitted in a democratic society. He pointed out that Mr. Kanthapuram neither demanded universal acceptance of his views nor called for boycotting those who disagreed, and therefore there was no justification for attacking the veteran scholar.