Amid row over remarks on women, Kanthapuram urges followers not to be ‘provoked’ into controversies

Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, facing criticism over his alleged anti-women remarks, on Friday (September 4, 2026) urged his followers not to be provoked or allow “spiritual discussions” to be diverted into controversies and divisions.

In a Facebook post, the veteran Sunni scholar said discussions should provide “healthy platforms to objectively assess ideas and learn new things.”

“We must clearly identify the vested interests of those who deliberately try to divert such spiritual discussions towards controversies and divisions,” he said.

He alleged that such “evil intentions” sought to undermine the pursuit of knowledge and create divisions in society, and urged his followers to approach such attempts with utmost vigilance.

Kanthapuram urged them to respond to any provocation with maturity and wisdom, rather than emotion.

“The tradition of Sunni believers has always been to confront all evils only with goodness,” he said, urging his followers to move ahead with discipline and restraint without deviating from their basic objectives.

The Facebook post came a day after Kanthapuram clarified his recent remarks on women, saying he was not among those who advocated that women be buried or confined and asserting that several women were being provided education and opportunities.

While addressing a programme in Thrissur on Thursday (September 3, 2026), Kanthapuram said: “It is not correct to say that women have been given second place. We are not people who say women should be buried. Everyone should understand this.”

He said madrassas and schools exclusively for girls had been established and several institutions were being run for their education.

He said such institutions were providing women with educational opportunities and caring for orphaned girls.

The Islamic scholar’s recent remarks that women should remain confined to their homes had triggered widespread criticism from various sections of society, including Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who said “such a 19th-century view” had no place in progressive Keralam.

Mr. Satheesan’s remarks drew a sharp response from organisations associated with the Sunni group led by Kanthapuram, which also sought an apology from him.