Thiruvananthapuram, September 3: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the president of the Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has targeted the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for allegedly attempting to introduce a system resembling Islamic Sharia law through the backdoor. He expressed concerns that such moves could regress the status of women.
Chandrasekhar’s remarks followed a controversial statement by Kerala’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed, who suggested that women should remain at home and avoid public life. This statement sparked significant debate.
In an interview with a news agency, Chandrasekhar stated, “I urge every citizen to observe what is happening in Kerala under the Congress-IUML alliance. It is extremely concerning. The IUML is crossing constitutional boundaries and trying to introduce a foreign ideology and a system akin to Sharia law, which could push our women and girls back into outdated thinking. This is unacceptable.”
He also criticized Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. Chandrasekhar questioned how Gandhi could label the IUML a secular party when one of its ministers prioritizes religion.
Chandrasekhar claimed that the current situation in Kerala arises because the IUML knows that Congress is operating under its terms. He remarked, “These are very worrying trends. This is happening because the IUML is aware that Congress is under its influence and is engaging in politics with its support.”
In response to the growing controversy, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed clarified that his intention was not to insult women but to discuss their safety and respect. However, his speech included an example that became the focal point of the debate. He compared a gold necklace kept securely in a jewelry store to women in public life, suggesting that exposing women to public scrutiny could lead to significant harm, and he described the practice of purdah as a social mechanism to prevent such situations.
His remarks have ignited political and social discussions in Kerala. The BJP has condemned them as an attack on women’s freedom and equality, while the Mufti argues that his comments have been misinterpreted.
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