‘Don’t interfere in internal affairs of believers’: Kanthapuram Samastha Organisations against CPM

MALAPPURAM: Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar’s Samastha organisations have taken a stand against the CPM in response to criticism of Kanthapuram’s controversial remarks about women. The Sunni Students Federation (SSF) said that ideological rigidity should be confined to party classes. The Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS) warned that those who have failed across the world and been consigned to the dustbin of history should not come forward to interfere in the internal affairs of believers.

The SYS launched a scathing attack, saying that the hypocrisy of leaders who come forward to lecture the Muslim community on its customs and traditions under the guise of pseudo-progressivism is both pathetic and laughable. The controversy began after the Kanthapuram faction issued a circular to mahallas and madrasas directing that women should not be displayed alongside unrelated men at public venues and on public roads as part of Nabi Day celebrations.

Later, at a Prophet-praise meet organised by the Kerala Muslim Jamaat, Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar reiterated that allowing women to appear in public venues would lead to serious consequences and that women should remain at home. Kanthapuram had also stated that women are meant to stay confined to their homes, and that, as someone who has studied Islam extensively and deeply, he has full authority to speak on matters concerning the Muslim community and make his position clear.

Following this, leaders including from the CPM came forward to criticise Kanthapuram. CPM leader P K Sreemathy criticised him, saying that Kanthapuram was once again spewing anti-women views. She said his remarks reflected an attitude towards women similar to that of the RSS. She also criticised Kanthapuram for allegedly being provoked by girls singing and dancing at Onam celebrations in schools. She said that in Kerala, where well educated women have risen to the forefront of society as MLAs, judges and doctors, such views are extremely anti-women and outdated.

A K Balan responded that the Communist Party would not accept such anti-women stands even if the Prophet himself came and advocated them. Organisations including the SFI, DYFI and the All-India Democratic Women’s Association also came forward with protests against Kanthapuram’s remarks.