New Delhi, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad has triggered a fresh controversy with remarks advocating that women remain confined to their homes and stay away from public life, drawing criticism from political leaders across party lines.
The cleric, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, made the comments while addressing the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi. He reportedly compared women with gold ornaments that should be kept safely inside a box and warned that bringing women into the public sphere could lead to “great destruction”.
“Women should remain confined within their homes. They should not enter the public sphere. The Holy Quran says so,” Kanthapuram said.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC strongly criticised the remarks, questioning the claim that women should not appear on public platforms.
“How regressive is it to say that women should not appear on public platforms and that they are a great distraction? I mean, the Quran nowhere says that women should sit at home and be confined to their homes. Public appearances are part of living in a civil society,” she told IANS.
Kerala Minister for Women and Child Development Bindu Krishna also rejected the statement, saying such views were incompatible with a progressive society.
“A society like Keralam cannot accept such statements. Statements of this kind push women back by centuries. We abide by the Constitution of India, which guarantees equality to women and men, irrespective of gender, religion, or any other factor,” she said.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy described the remarks as wrong and said women must have the freedom to be independent.
“This is wrong. This should not happen. Women should be independent. Religious leaders should remain silent on such matters concerning society,” Roy said.
Congress MP Imran Masood questioned the cleric’s interpretation of Islam and referred to prominent women from Islamic history, including Razia Sultan and Hazrat Aisha.
“Someone who is not an Islamic scholar cannot know about Islam,” Masood said, questioning whether merely wearing traditional religious attire could establish someone’s credentials as an Islamic scholar.
Congress leader Udit Raj also condemned the remarks and emphasised the constitutional guarantees of equality and equal rights for women.
“Our Indian Constitution grants freedom, equality, equal rights and an equal vote. Nonsense will not be tolerated here, and strict action should be taken against such an individual,” he said.
The remarks have sparked a wider debate over the role of women in public life and the constitutional principles of equality and freedom.
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