Archive · 4 Sep 2026
VHP Demands Action Over Scholar’s Remarks on Women
An Islamic scholar in Kerala made comments about women appearing in public.
The VHP said the comments were unfair to women and unconstitutional.
It asked political leaders and Muslim organisations to respond.
The VHP also asked the Kerala government and the National Commission for Women to consider action.
The scholar later explained that he was not saying women should be buried or locked away.
He said women should receive education and opportunities.
The disagreement is about how women should participate in public life.
Both sides presented different views about what the scholar’s remarks meant.
The VHP criticized Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar over alleged anti-women remarks.
Musliyar allegedly said women appearing on public platforms could lead to “great destruction” and defended purdah.
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal urged Congress leaders and Muslim organisations to clarify their positions.
The VHP asked the Kerala government and National Commission for Women to consider action against Musliyar.
Musliyar later said he did not believe women should be buried or confined and cited women’s education and opportunities.
- Who
- The VHP, spokesperson Vinod Bansal, and Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar are central to the dispute.
- What
- The VHP criticized Musliyar’s alleged remarks about women and sought clarification and possible action; Musliyar later clarified his position.
- When
- Musliyar reportedly made the remarks on Sunday and issued a clarification on Thursday; the VHP criticism was reported on Friday.
- Where
- The remarks were made at an Islamic conference in Kochi, Kerala.
- Why
- The VHP said the comments were anti-women and unconstitutional, while Musliyar said they should not be interpreted as advocating that women be buried or confined.
VHP’s Criticism
Musliyar’s Clarification
Meaning of the remarks
VHP’s Criticism
The VHP described the reported comments as anti-women, unconstitutional, and despicable.
Musliyar’s Clarification
Musliyar said his comments should not be understood as saying women should be buried or confined.
Women’s public role
VHP’s Criticism
The VHP objected to the reported suggestion that bringing women onto public platforms could cause destruction.
Musliyar’s Clarification
Musliyar said women are being provided education and opportunities and should not be viewed as having been given second place.
Response from institutions
VHP’s Criticism
The VHP urged Congress leaders, Muslim organisations, the Kerala government, and the National Commission for Women to respond or consider action.
Musliyar’s Clarification
Musliyar’s reported clarification emphasized that his position was not opposition to women receiving education and opportunities.
- Main critic
- Vishva Hindu Parishad spokesperson Vinod Bansal
- Scholar involved
- Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar
- Reported venue
- An Islamic conference in Kochi
- VHP requests
- Clarification from political and Muslim organisations, and possible action by the Kerala government and National Commission for Women
- Alleged remarks
- Women appearing on public platforms could lead to “great destruction,” with purdah presented as a prevention
- Clarification
- Musliyar said women should not be considered second-class and that he did not advocate burying or confining them
- Date sequence
- Alleged remarks on Sunday, clarification on Thursday, and VHP reaction on Friday