Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Congress Backs Satheesan Amid Debate Over Women’s Public Participation
A disagreement began after scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar spoke against women appearing on public platforms.
V D Satheesan said this opinion belonged to an older time.
Some Sunni Muslim groups criticised Satheesan and supported Kanthapuram.
Congress leader Sunny Joseph said Satheesan was right to express disagreement.
Joseph said Congress supports people’s freedom of opinion.
He also said Congress strongly supports women’s empowerment.
The party discussed other matters, including Kerala’s electricity shortage and disagreements among party members.
Joseph said he will remain KPCC president until a new president is chosen.
Congress leaders backed V D Satheesan after he criticised Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar’s remarks about women appearing on public platforms.
Kanthapuram said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to “great destruction,” while Satheesan called the view an idea from the 19th century.
Sunni Muslim organisations, including the EK Sunni faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, criticised Satheesan and supported Kanthapuram.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph said Congress supports freedom of opinion but places strong importance on women’s empowerment.
Joseph also discussed Kerala’s power shortage, internal party disagreements, and his continuation as KPCC president until a successor is appointed.
- Who
- V D Satheesan, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, Sunny Joseph, Congress leaders, and Sunni Muslim organisations.
- What
- Congress publicly backed Satheesan’s disagreement with Kanthapuram’s remarks about women’s public participation.
- When
- The reactions were reported on Sunday, following Kanthapuram’s remarks on Saturday.
- Where
- Kannur, Kerala, with related party matters involving other parts of the state.
- Why
- The dispute concerns whether women should appear on public platforms and how their participation is viewed within Islamic and political debates.
Supporters of Women’s Public Participation
Opponents of Women’s Public Participation
Role of women in public life
Supporters of Women’s Public Participation
Congress leaders, including Satheesan and Sunny Joseph, support women’s participation in public platforms and describe the opposing view as outdated.
Opponents of Women’s Public Participation
Kanthapuram said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to “great destruction,” and several Sunni Muslim organisations supported or defended his position.
Response to Satheesan’s criticism
Supporters of Women’s Public Participation
Congress said Satheesan had the right to disagree and that his position was meaningful within a secular party that respects freedom of opinion.
Opponents of Women’s Public Participation
Sunni Muslim organisations, including the EK Sunni faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, criticised Satheesan for challenging Kanthapuram’s remarks.
- Central dispute
- Satheesan disagreed with Kanthapuram’s remarks on women’s public appearance.
- Kanthapuram’s statement
- He said bringing women onto public platforms would lead to “great destruction.”
- Congress position
- Sunny Joseph said Congress firmly stands by Satheesan’s position.
- Women’s empowerment
- Joseph said Congress gives the highest importance to women’s empowerment.
- Electricity shortage
- Joseph said Kerala is facing a shortage of around 500 MW.
- Power purchase costs
- He said the state is buying power at about Rs 10 per unit, compared with Rs 4.29 under an earlier long-term agreement.
- KPCC leadership
- Joseph said he will continue as KPCC president until a new president is appointed.