Kerala Chief Minister Condemns Cleric's Remarks on Women

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan condemned remarks made by Sunni Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who argued that women should remain confined to their homes to avoid great destruction. Speaking at a conference in Kochi on Sunday, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, also known as the Grand Mufti of India, likened women to gold ornaments that must be kept in a box to retain their beauty.

Satheesan rejected these views as a misinterpretation of Islamic history and inconsistent with the progressive traditions of Kerala. To counter the cleric's claims, the Chief Minister cited historical Islamic figures, including businesswoman Khadija, military leader Aisha, and Queen Bilqis, asserting that women should play central roles in all spheres of society.