Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Kerala BJP Chief Attacks IUML Over Sharia Law Allegations
Kerala BJP leader Rajeev Chandrashekhar criticized the Indian Union Muslim League.
He said the party was trying to bring religious rules into government through the back door.
He argued that this could limit the freedom of women and girls.
His criticism came after a Grand Mufti said women should stay at home and avoid public life.
The Grand Mufti said he was trying to protect and respect women, not insult them.
He compared women to valuable gold jewelry that is kept safely inside a shop.
He also supported purdah as a way to prevent harm.
The dispute has created a political argument involving the BJP, Congress, and Muslim League.
Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrashekhar accused the Indian Union Muslim League of trying to introduce a Sharia law-based system through the “back door.”
Chandrashekhar said such a system could restrict women and girls and take them “back to the Stone Age.”
His comments followed controversial remarks by Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad that women should remain at home and avoid public life.
The Grand Mufti said he intended to protect and respect women, but defended his position using an analogy comparing women with securely stored gold jewelry.
Chandrashekhar criticized the Congress–IUML coalition and questioned Rahul Gandhi’s description of the Muslim League as a secular party.
- Who
- Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the Indian Union Muslim League, Congress, and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Chandrashekhar accused the IUML of attempting to introduce a Sharia law-like system, following controversy over the Grand Mufti’s comments about women’s public roles.
- When
- Chandrashekhar made the remarks on Wednesday, days after the Grand Mufti’s comments triggered controversy.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- Why
- Chandrashekhar said the comments and political relationship between Congress and the IUML reflected an attempt to impose religious rules that could restrict women.
BJP Criticism
Mufti’s Defense
Religious law and government
BJP Criticism
Rajeev Chandrashekhar alleged that the IUML was attempting to introduce an Islamic Sharia law-like system through the coalition government and said this violated constitutional boundaries.
Mufti’s Defense
The article does not provide a direct response from the IUML. The Grand Mufti instead clarified that his comments were intended to protect and respect women.
Women’s role in public life
BJP Criticism
Chandrashekhar argued that restricting women and girls could take them back to the Stone Age and said such an approach was unacceptable.
Mufti’s Defense
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said women should remain at home and stay away from public life, presenting this as a way to ensure their protection and respect.
Meaning of the jewelry analogy
BJP Criticism
Critics focused on the Mufti’s comparison of women with gold jewelry, saying his remarks contributed to the controversy over women’s freedom and public participation.
Mufti’s Defense
The Mufti used the analogy to argue that valuable jewelry is kept securely protected, and said purdah was intended to prevent harmful consequences.
- Main critic
- Rajeev Chandrashekhar, president of the Kerala BJP
- Target of criticism
- The Indian Union Muslim League, which is in coalition with Congress in Kerala
- Triggering remarks
- Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said women should remain at home and stay away from public life
- BJP allegation
- Chandrashekhar accused the IUML of trying to introduce a Sharia law-like system through the “back door”
- Mufti’s clarification
- He said his intention was to protect and respect women rather than demean them
- Contested analogy
- The Mufti compared women with gold jewelry kept securely inside a cupboard, box, and protective packaging
- Political criticism
- Chandrashekhar questioned Rahul Gandhi’s description of the Muslim League as a secular party