Muslim cleric row puts Satheesan at odds with IUML over Muslim women’s place in public life
· India · Indian Express
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has openly rejected controversial remarks by influential cleric Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar regarding women participating in public life. Musliyar had previously issued a written directive warning against women mingling with men in public places during Eid Milad-un-Nabi celebrations, stating that women should remain confined to their homes. Chief Minister Satheesan dismissed the stance as unsuitable for the 21st century and maintained that women must participate in mainstream society. The ruling Congress leader's rebuttal directly contradicts the position taken by the Indian Union Muslim League, an allied political party that endorsed the cleric's remarks. Various other community leaders and scholars have also expressed support for the orthodox cleric's position, even as social media accounts of several Muslim women criticised the clerics' stand.
Why it matters
The public disagreement exposes a political rift between the ruling coalition leadership and key ally Indian Union Muslim League over women's rights and religious conservatism in Kerala.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.