Ex-Vanitha League Leader Noorbeena Hits Out at IUML Over Kanthapuram Silence

Noorbeena Rasheed, who recently stepped down as national general secretary of the Vanitha League, has publicly questioned the Indian Union Muslim League's (IUML) stance on the controversy surrounding Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar.

In a Facebook post, Rasheed argued that any political movement working for the progress of the Muslim community must maintain clear and consistent positions on social issues. She stressed that the leadership should not remain silent or send ambiguous signals, particularly to the younger generation.

The remarks come in the wake of a directive issued by Kanthapuram during recent Milad celebrations, which called for restricting women from appearing in public spaces. The directive was widely criticised as anti-women and triggered protests across the state.

Rasheed's post appeared to take an indirect swipe at the IUML for its tacit support of the scholar. "A movement needs clarity, consistency, and credibility in its ideas and positions," she wrote, adding that the younger generation requires a clear sense of direction rather than confusion.

Recalling her own efforts in the 1990s to bring Muslim women into public life and politics, Rasheed noted that women had been encouraged to uphold their values, assert their views, and participate in social progress.

Rasheed resigned from her party post after being denied a ticket for the Assembly elections in April. She was reportedly unhappy with the decision to field young student leader Fathima Thahiliya in her place.