Rejecting Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar’s recent controversial opinions against the participation of women in public platforms, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said that his comments are unsuitable for modern, progressive Keralam. Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) after the Cabinet meeting, he further said that neither the Congress party or the Keralam government can agree with such a stand which belongs to the 19th century.

“Even Islamic history and its scriptures say that women have a place in public spaces. Such comments are a result of misinterpretation of Islam. Khadija, the first wife of the Prophet, was a businesswoman, while Ayesha, another wife, had led an army in a war. Women’s voices were respected in the court of Khalifa Umar,” said Mr. Satheesan.

Mr. Kanthapuram, general secretary of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama and Grand Mufti of India, had asked mahals and madrasas under Samastha to ensure that religious programmes follow Islamic norms. The circular asked them to prevent women from sharing stage or public space with unrelated men during religious celebrations. It also advised against incorporating custom from other cultures into Islamic festivals.

Later, speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday (August 30, 2026), he said that bringing women onto public platforms would lead to “great destruction” and that Islam prescribed purdah for women to prevent this.

His comments had led to a huge uproar with Communist Party of India (Marxist) as well as Congress leaders and women’s organisations levelling sharp criticism against Mr.Kanthapuram. 

We do not agree with Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar's statement on women: V. D. Satheesan

We do not agree with Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar's statement on women: V. D. Satheesan | Video Credit: The Hindu