Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Kerala Cleric’s Remarks on Women Draw Cross-Party Backlash
Kerala cleric Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said women should stay inside their homes.
He compared women to valuable gold ornaments that should be kept in a box.
He said women appearing in public could cause great destruction.
He said this view was based on the Holy Quran and was meant to protect women’s honour and dignity.
Several political leaders strongly disagreed with him.
They said women should be free to study, work, lead and participate in public life.
They also said India’s Constitution promises equality and freedom to women.
The comments have led to a wider debate about religion, women’s rights and public life in Kerala.
Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said women should remain at home and avoid the public sphere.
Speaking at a Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi, he compared women with gold ornaments kept safely in a box.
He said bringing women onto public platforms could cause “great destruction” and cited the Holy Quran.
Political leaders from the Congress, CPI(M), BJP, Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress criticised the remarks.
Critics said women’s independence, public participation and equal rights are protected by India’s Constitution.
- Who
- Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, and political leaders who criticised his remarks.
- What
- The cleric said women should remain confined to their homes and should not enter the public sphere.
- When
- The remarks were made on Sunday, August 30, and drew political criticism on Monday.
- Where
- The remarks were made at the Hubbul Rasool conference in Kochi, Kerala.
- Why
- The cleric said the position was supported by the Holy Quran and intended to protect women’s honour and dignity; critics said it conflicted with constitutional equality and freedom.
Critics of the remarks
Cleric’s stated position
Women in public life
Critics of the remarks
Political leaders said women have the right to be independent and to learn, lead, work and participate freely in public life.
Cleric’s stated position
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said women should remain confined to their homes and should not enter the public sphere.
Constitution and religion
Critics of the remarks
Critics said constitutional equality, freedom and equal rights apply to women regardless of gender or religion; some also questioned the cleric’s interpretation of Islam.
Cleric’s stated position
The cleric cited the Holy Quran and said purdah, or seclusion and veiling, was prescribed to protect women’s honour and dignity.
Social consequences
Critics of the remarks
Opponents described the remarks as regressive and misogynistic, saying they could push women back by centuries.
Cleric’s stated position
The cleric said bringing women onto public platforms could lead to “great destruction” and argued that religious scholars should continue preaching the position despite criticism.
- Speaker
- Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar
- Event
- Hubbul Rasool conference
- Location
- Kochi, Kerala
- Reported position
- Women should remain within their homes and should not enter the public sphere.
- Religious justification
- The cleric cited the Holy Quran and said purdah was intended to safeguard women.
- Related circular
- A Samastha circular directed that women should not share stages with men or appear alongside men during religious programmes.
- Political response
- Leaders across party lines condemned the remarks and defended women’s independence and public participation.
