Kerala row over women's public role: Rival Samastha defends Kanthapuram's preaching right

The controversy over Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar’s directive on Muslim women’s participation in public events deepened on Wednesday as the head of a rival Samastha faction defended his right to preach, pushing the debate beyond the specific remarks to wider questions of religion, public life, and political intervention.

Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, president of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama headquartered at Chelari, broke his silence on September 2, 2026, saying religious scholars should not be attacked or disparaged for explaining religious teachings to their followers. Though he did not name Mr. Kanthapuram or Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, his statement came after Mr. Satheesan criticised the scholar and described his position as a misinterpretation of Islam.

“Accept if you can; otherwise, you are free to reject. But do not disparage them,” Mr. Jifri Thangal said. He added that people in India are free to follow their faith, and religious leaders are free to explain its teachings.

The intervention is significant because the two Samastha factions are rivals. It shows that the controversy has moved beyond Mr. Kanthapuram’s remarks to the broader issue of religious authority in a secular democracy.

The dispute began with a circular issued by Mr. Kanthapuram, general secretary of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, and its president E. Sulaiman Musliar, regarding the conduct of Milad celebrations marking the 1,501st birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. As Milad programmes expanded from mosques and madrasas to public venues and clubs, the circular called for adherence to Islamic norms, including restrictions on women’s participation. Mr. Kanthapuram later defended the position at a gathering in Kochi, saying bringing women onto public platforms could lead to “chaos”.

These remarks drew criticism from several CPI(M) leaders, including P.K. Sreemathy, K.K. Shailaja, A.K. Balan, and Paloli Mohammed Kutty, as well as some Congress leaders. Mr. Mohammed Kutty said religious leaders should advise men, not women, on gender equality.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan entered the debate after days of criticism and rejected Mr. Kanthapuram’s position, saying the cleric had “misinterpreted Islam”. He also stated that Kerala’s tradition of social progress could not accept restrictions on women’s participation in public life.

The Chief Minister’s stand was welcomed by progressive groups but angered sections of the traditional Sunni community. The Kanthapuram faction demanded that he withdraw his remarks and apologise. A delegation, including Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari and Perode Abdurahman Saqafi, met Mr. Satheesan on Wednesday night and urged him to reconsider. He is understood to have assured them of a more restrained approach.

The CPI(M) leadership has not adopted a formal position, with internal voices differing. T.K. Hamza said he neither supported nor rejected Mr. Kanthapuram’s remarks, noting that religious scholars have long advised followers on matters of conduct. “Religion should not be misused for political gains,” he added. Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has not commented so far.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has taken a cautious line. Its president, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, defended Mr. Kanthapuram, suggesting he may have spoken out of concern for women’s safety. IUML State Secretary Abdurahman Randathani echoed this, saying the remarks should not be seen as opposition to social progress. “He was speaking as a religious scholar, likely out of concern for women’s safety,” he said.

Former Higher Education Minister and CPI(M) leader K.T. Jaleel also defended Mr. Kanthapuram’s right to speak, noting that the cleric was addressing his followers. “He has the freedom to preach religion; others have the freedom to disagree,” he said.

The widening debate reflects the delicate balance in Kerala between religious freedom, women’s rights, and political accountability. As the controversy continues, no formal resolution has emerged, and leaders across parties are treading carefully.