Samastha mouthpiece defends Kanthapuram against Kerala CM

The Malayalam daily Suprabhatham, the official mouthpiece of the EK Sunni faction of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, has issued an editorial defending Islamic scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar following a controversy regarding his remarks on women.

The dispute arose after Kanthapuram suggested that bringing women onto public platforms could result in “great destruction,” following a circular urging madrasas and Mahalls to bar women from public spaces during Islamic celebrations. Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan criticized the stance, labeling it a “19th century” mindset unsuitable for a progressive state.

In its rebuttal, Suprabhatham compared Satheesan’s criticism to a “blind man touching an elephant,” suggesting the Chief Minister acted on an incomplete understanding provided by internal critics. The editorial argued that while Satheesan has the right to critique, Kanthapuram possesses the freedom to express religious doctrine within his own institution and community. The publication further asserted that critics failed to properly interpret the Prophet’s role as a liberator of women.