Muslim Jamaat condemns Keralam Chief Minister’s remarks on Kanthapuram, seeks apology
The Kerala Muslim Jamaat has formally demanded an apology from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan following his criticism of scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar. The dispute centers on the Chief Minister's claim that the scholar misinterpreted Islamic teachings regarding women's participation in public religious events.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing tensions between political leadership and religious organizations in India regarding the interpretation of religious doctrine and social norms.
The Kerala Muslim Jamaat has condemned Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s remarks that veteran Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar had misinterpreted Islam. It demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw the statement and apologise to the Muslim community.
In a statement issued in Malappuram on Wednesday (September 2, 2026), the Muslim Jamaat said Mr. Satheesan had misunderstood Islamic history and events and commented on them without properly considering their context. Such remarks, it said, were unbecoming of the office of the Chief Minister.
The Muslim Jamaat also took exception to the Chief Minister’s claim of being an avid reader and urged him to study the Koran, the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and Islamic history in their proper context.
The remarks followed a controversy over a directive by Mr. Kanthapuram against allowing women to participate in religious celebrations in public places.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in