CM rejects Kanthapuram’s remarks; ‘That is a 19th-century argument’; cites Islamic history

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has rejected the remarks made by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar opposing women’s participation in public life. He made it clear that neither the government nor the Congress party supports Kanthapuram’s views.

Satheesan said Kanthapuram had raised an issue that should have been discussed in the 19th century, not the 21st, and that his remarks amounted to a misinterpretation of Islamic history. He was responding to questions from journalists at a press conference held after the Cabinet meeting.

“We do not agree with Kanthapuram’s statement at all. Neither this government nor the party will stand by what he said. It is not a position befitting progressive Kerala. We cannot agree with his remarks in any manner. What should have been said in the 19th century is being said in the 21st century. We strongly oppose it. Women are not meant to live confined to their homes. Our progressive position is that they should participate in all aspects of life and be part of the mainstream. There should be no doubt about that,” the Chief Minister said.

Satheesan also cited examples from Islamic history to counter Kanthapuram’s argument. “Islamic history itself says the same thing. It is a statement that misinterprets Islam itself. The Prophet’s first wife, Khadija, was a prominent businesswoman. Another wife, Aisha, participated in a war and was a military commander. Bilqis, who is mentioned in Islamic history, was a queen. History records that when Caliph Umar decided to reduce the mahr at a royal court, a woman questioned the decision. He acknowledged that the woman was right. Women were present even in the royal court,” V.D. Satheesan said.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a constituent of the UDF and part of the government, adopted a cautious position without directly rejecting Kanthapuram’s remarks. IUML president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said Kanthapuram might have made the remarks out of concern for women’s safety.

This was followed by the Chief Minister’s unequivocal rejection of Kanthapuram’s statement. Congress ministers had earlier criticised Kanthapuram as well. However, League ministers did not respond to the issue.