‘He is a political leader who opposed entry of women in Sabarimala’; Samastha mouthpiece harshly criticizes CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suprabhatham, the mouthpiece of Samastha sharply criticised Chief Minister V D Satheesan in their editorial. The mouthpiece also expressed strong disagreement with the chief minister’s criticism against the remarks of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama leader Kanthapuram A. P Aboobacker Musliyar. The criticism appeared in the editorial titled ‘Speak with Decency.’

The article also alleged that the statement against Kanthapuram is part of a deliberate attempt to change the chief minister’s image as a leader who enjoys Muslim support. Satheesan’s stand against Kanthapuram was like ‘a blind man touching an elephant.’ The editorial also pointed that Satheesan is a political leader who strongly opposed the entry of women in Sabarimala.

The chief minister had said that Kanthapuram’s remarks on women entering public spaces were not appropriate for progressive Kerala. He said that what has to be said in the 19th century, is now being said in the 21st century. He also stated that neither the government nor the party agreed with the remarks in any way and that the government’s stand is that women should participate in all spheres of public life and live as equal participants in the mainstream.

The chief minister also said that Islamic history also supports this stand. He said that the Prophet’s first wife, Khadija, was a prominent businesswoman. Another wife, Ayesha, was a military commander who participated in the Battle of the Camel. He also referred to Queen Bilqis mentioned in Islamic history. According to historical accounts, when Caliph Umar decided to reduce the mahr (the amount given to a woman as part of marriage), a woman questioned the decision. Caliph Umar accepted her objection. The chief minister said this also indicates that women were present even in his royal court.

Following the chief minister’s rejection of Kanthapuram’s remarks at a press conference, Samastha leaders had visited Cliff House. It is reported that the leaders demanded the chief minister to withdraw or correct his remarks against Kanthapuram. Later, the chief minister’s removal of a video post he had shared on Facebook criticising the statement was widely discussed.