Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has strongly rejected controversial remarks by Sunni Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who reportedly said that women should remain confined to their homes and should not enter public spaces.
Speaking after the state Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Satheesan said the view was unacceptable and did not reflect Kerala’s progressive social tradition. He said women should not be restricted to their homes and must have a role in every sphere of society.
“We have absolutely no agreement with that statement,” Satheesan said, according to PTI. He added that such a position was not suitable for a progressive Kerala and could not be accepted.
The controversy began after Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, made the remarks at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday. He reportedly cited Islamic teachings while arguing that women should not be present in public spaces.
The scholar compared women with gold ornaments, saying that valuable items need to be kept safely. He argued that allowing women to enter public spaces could lead to what he described as “great destruction”. His comments triggered criticism from several quarters.
Satheesan challenged the interpretation and said Islamic history itself contains examples of women participating actively in public life. He referred to Khadija, the first wife of Prophet Muhammad, who was a successful businesswoman.
The chief minister also cited Aisha, another wife of Prophet Muhammad, pointing to her leadership role and participation in the Battle of the Camel. He further mentioned Queen Bilqis as an example of a woman who held power.
According to Satheesan, these historical examples demonstrate that women have played important roles in business, leadership and governance. He argued that restricting women to their homes therefore cannot be presented as the only position supported by Islamic history.
The remarks have sparked a wider debate in Kerala over women's participation in public life, social freedom and interpretations of religious teachings. Political and social voices have criticised the idea of keeping women away from public platforms.
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a prominent Sunni Muslim religious scholar and is known as the ‘Grand Mufti of India’. The title of Mufti generally refers to an Islamic scholar qualified to interpret Islamic law.
The Kerala government's response has brought the issue into the political spotlight, with Satheesan making it clear that his administration supports women's participation across all areas of society.
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