Kochi: Samastha president Jifri Muthukoya Thangal on Wednesday backed Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar amid criticism over his remarks on women, saying people who speak on religious matters should not be belittled.

Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, also known as Samastha, is a Sunni-Shafi'i Muslim scholarly body in Kerala.

Speaking at a gathering near here, Thangal said people associated with religion would naturally speak about religious matters, and those who disagreed with their views could choose not to accept them.

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"People associated with religion will speak about matters related to religion. India is a country that allows people to speak about religion. They should not be belittled by saying that what they say is not relevant to the times," he said.

Thangal also appeared to indirectly criticise Kerala Chief Minister Satheesan, who had earlier condemned Musliyar's remarks.

He said people holding responsible positions should not speak disparagingly about those who raise religious issues.

Also read | ‘Spewing misogyny’: Women leaders blast Kanthapuram over anti-women remarks

He also cautioned against belittling religious beliefs and practices.

Earlier on Wednesday, Satheesan opposed Musliyar's remarks suggesting that women should remain confined to their homes, saying such a 19th-century view had no place in progressive Kerala.

Flaying the remarks, the senior Congress leader said neither the UDF government nor the party would support Kanthapuram's position.

A controversy erupted in Kerala after Kanthapuram, speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi on Sunday, said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to "great destruction" and that Islam prescribed purdah for women to prevent this. PTI