Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has accused the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a Congress ally in the state, of trying to introduce a “Sharia law-like system” through the “backdoor” and pushing women towards a regressive social order.
Chandrasekhar made the remarks while speaking to news agency IANS on Wednesday, following controversial comments by Kerala Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, who said women should remain at home and stay away from public life.
Chandrasekhar Targets Congress-Muslim League Alliance
Chandrasekhar said the developments in Kerala were “extremely concerning” and accused the IUML of crossing constitutional limits.
“I appeal to every citizen of the country to see what is happening in Kerala under the Congress and Muslim League alliance. It is extremely concerning,” he said.
“The Indian Union Muslim League is crossing constitutional boundaries and trying to bring in, through the backdoor, a foreign ideology and a system like Sharia law, which could push our women and girls back towards an outdated way of thinking. This is not acceptable,” Chandrasekhar added.
He also criticised Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his party’s alliance with the IUML.
“An Indian Union Muslim League minister says that religion is their priority. If this is the thinking of the Muslim League, then how can Rahul Gandhi, while talking about patriarchy, certify the Indian Union Muslim League as a secular party?” Chandrasekhar said.
He further alleged that the IUML was able to influence Congress because the party depended on its support in Kerala.
“This is a very worrying trend. This is happening because the Muslim League knows that Congress is under its influence and is doing politics with its support,” he said.
Grand Mufti Defends Women Remarks
The controversy began after Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad made remarks suggesting that women should stay at home rather than participate in public life.
After his comments triggered criticism, the Grand Mufti said his intention was not to insult women but to speak about their safety and dignity.
However, an analogy in his speech became the main focus of the controversy. He compared women to a gold necklace, saying that a valuable necklace is kept safely in a jewellery shop, inside a secure cupboard, box and packaging, while a stone-cutting machine may be left by the roadside.
He argued that if a gold necklace were left on the street, passers-by could touch it, potentially affecting its appearance and value. Using the comparison, he said bringing women into public life could cause “great harm” and described the practice of purdah as a social system intended to prevent such situations.
Political Debate Intensifies in Kerala
The comments have triggered a political and social debate in Kerala over women’s freedom, equality and participation in public life.
The BJP has described the Grand Mufti’s remarks as an attack on women’s rights and equality. The Grand Mufti, however, has maintained that his comments were misunderstood and that his intention was to emphasise the safety and dignity of women.
