Kerala Chief Minister and Religious Leaders Clash Over Cleric's Remarks on Women

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has strongly condemned remarks made by influential cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who stated that Muslim women should remain confined to their homes and avoid mingling with men in public places. Musliyar, the general secretary of a prominent Sunni scholarly body, issued a written directive regarding the conduct of Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations, claiming that the presence of women on public platforms could lead to destruction or chaos. The controversy follows viral videos of Muslim women participating in festivities and dancing during recent Onam and Eid celebrations.

Chief Minister Satheesan described the cleric's position as unsuitable for a progressive society in the 21st century. He argued that Musliyar misinterpreted Islam, citing the historical examples of Prophet Muhammad's wife Khadija as a businesswoman and Aisha as a military leader. In response, the Kerala Muslim Jamaath demanded an apology from the Chief Minister, calling his claims of misinterpretation a blatant lie. Other religious figures, including Jifri Muthukoya Thangal of the rival Samastha faction, defended the right of scholars to preach religious doctrine without being disparaged.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), an ally of the government, has taken a cautious approach. IUML state chief Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal suggested that the cleric's remarks might have been motivated by concerns for women's safety in modern society. Meanwhile, the Sunni Mahallu Federation urged critics to stop interfering in religious matters in the name of liberalism, stating that religious rulings are intended for believers and are not imposed on others.

Political reactions have been mixed. While some CPI(M) leaders criticized the cleric, others, such as T.K. Hamza and K.T. Jaleel, noted that religious scholars have the freedom to advise their followers on conduct. Reports indicate that leaders from the Kanthapuram faction met with the Chief Minister on September 2, 2026, and he reportedly assured them of a more restrained approach.