Thriuvananthapuram, 02 September (H.S.) :Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday strongly rejected A.P. Samastha general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar's controversial remarks on women, describing them as medieval and incompatible with Kerala's progressive values.

Kanthapuram had reportedly said that allowing women to participate in public life would invite damnation and claimed that the Quran prescribed a submissive life for women within their homes.

Addressing the customary post-Cabinet press conference, Satheesan said the government completely disagreed with such views.

This is not a line of thinking that sits well with progressive Kerala. It belongs to the 19th century, he said.

The Chief Minister maintained that women should not be confined to their homes and must actively participate in every sphere of public life. He also described Kanthapuram's interpretation as a misreading of Islam.

Citing examples from Islamic history, Satheesan said Prophet Muhammad's first wife, Khadija, was a successful businesswoman. He also referred to Aisha's participation in the Battle of the Camel and Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, to underline the prominent roles played by women.

Satheesan further recalled an incident from the court of Caliph Umar involving a proposal to reduce mehr, the money promised by a groom to his bride. A woman reportedly challenged the proposal, and Caliph Umar accepted her argument despite opposition from others in the court.

The controversy has drawn strong objections from Congress leaders. However, the Indian Union Muslim League has sought to play down Kanthapuram's remarks.

IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said Kanthapuram might have made the statement in the context of women's safety amid increasing violence against them.

Satheesan, however, declined to comment on the League leadership's reluctance to directly reject Kanthapuram's remarks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman