Keralam Minister Bindu Krishna slams Kanthapuram’s directive on ‘restricting’ women at public events

Keralam’s Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna has criticised All India Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar for urging Muslim organisations to restrict women from mingling with men at public religious celebrations.

Ms. Krishna said on Monday (August 31, 2026) that such directives could push women “centuries back” and should not be accepted in a society that guarantees equal rights to men and women.

The Constitution guarantees equal rights to women and men regardless of gender, she said. “People have the right to live a free and liberal life. Directives like these will push women centuries back,” she said.

The Minister said women should be free to participate in public life. “Our women are free to move. They are capable of leading. Our girls are part of this society, and we cannot accept such statements,” she said.

The controversy follows a circular issued last week by the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama led by Mr. Aboobacker Musliar. The circular asked mahals and madrasas to ensure that religious programmes follow Islamic norms.

It said women should not be allowed to mix with men on stages or in public spaces during religious celebrations. It also advised against incorporating customs from other cultures into Islamic festivals and ceremonies.

Criticism against circular

The circular has drawn criticism from several CPI(M) leaders and women’s organisations. Former MP and Minister P.K. Sreemathy criticised its language and called for its withdrawal. Former Minister K.K. Shailaja said keeping women confined to the home was “a feudal practice” and that such a position was not appropriate for an organisation that runs educational and social service institutions.

All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) leader C.S. Sujatha and Students Federation of India (SFI) State secretary P.S. Sanjeev also criticised the directive.

Samastha defends circular

Samastha has defended the circular, saying it “introduced nothing new” and was intended only for its followers.

The circular was issued against the backdrop of changes in the way Prophet Muhammad’s birthday was being celebrated in some places. Traditionally held around mosques, madrasas and mahal committees, the celebrations have in some areas expanded into larger public events organised by youth clubs.

The Samastha leadership expressed concern over the conduct of such events, particularly the participation of women in programmes held in public spaces.

Critics have portrayed the position taken by Mr. Kanthapuram and Samastha as anti-woman, arguing that restrictions on women’s participation and movement in public life are inconsistent with gender equality.