Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Kerala Anchor Faces Police Case After Debate Over Muslim Scholar
A television debate in Kerala discussed comments by Muslim scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar about Muslim women in public spaces.
The debate caused controversy, and the channel later removed the programme.
Police have registered a case against anchor Aparna Kurup after a viewer complained about her statements.
Kurup had also complained about a panellist named Abdulla Basil C.P. She said social media posts about her were defamatory and threatening.
Basil said the debate introduction contained Islamophobic remarks.
The anchor and channel later expressed regret.
Some political leaders criticized the scholar's comments, while others called them a religious opinion.
The government was reportedly cautious about further action in the case involving Basil.
Kochi City Cyber Police registered a case against television journalist Aparna Kurup after a complaint by Abdul Hakeem B.M.
The case concerns remarks Kurup made during a debate about Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar's comments on Muslim women.
Police invoked Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions concerning alleged provocation to riot and deliberate outrage of religious feelings.
Kurup had earlier filed a separate complaint against Abdulla Basil C.P. and another unidentified person over alleged defamation and safety threats.
Political reactions remain divided, with some criticizing the scholar's remarks while others defended them as a religious view.
- Who
- Television journalist Aparna Kurup, panellist Abdulla Basil C.P., complainant Abdul Hakeem B.M., and scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar are central figures.
- What
- Separate police cases followed a television debate about remarks concerning Muslim women and public participation.
- When
- The case against Kurup was registered on Monday; the other case was registered days earlier.
- Where
- The case against Kurup was registered by the Kochi City Cyber Police in Kerala.
- Why
- A complaint alleged that Kurup's debate statements could provoke unrest and outrage religious feelings, while Kurup alleged that posts by Basil and another person defamed and threatened her.
Critics of the Remarks
Defenders of the Religious View
Meaning of the scholar's comments
Critics of the Remarks
Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan and several women leaders criticized the comments as inconsistent with progressive 21st-century thought.
Defenders of the Religious View
Indian Union Muslim League state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal described the comments as a scholar's religious view.
Police case involving the panellist
Critics of the Remarks
Supporters of Abdulla Basil C.P. said he gave a precise, academic response and that the case against him should be withdrawn.
Defenders of the Religious View
Aparna Kurup alleged that social media posts following the programme defamed her and threatened her safety, prompting her complaint.
- Anchor
- Aparna Kurup
- Panellist
- Abdulla Basil C.P., vice-president of Wisdom Students
- Original controversy
- Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar advised Muslim women against sharing public spaces with unrelated men during religious celebrations.
- Police unit
- Kochi City Cyber Police
- Legal provisions
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 192 and 299
- First complainant
- Kasaragod resident Abdul Hakeem B.M.
- Channel response
- The programme was removed, and the journalist and channel expressed regret over the remarks.