K.T. Jaleel backs Kanthapuram, links remarks to IUML woman leaders’ conduct
K.T. Jaleel defends Kanthapuram's remarks on IUML women leaders, highlighting significant community discussions and leadership silence.
Former Higher Education Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader says IUML leadership’s decision not to publicly engage with the controversy is significant
Updated - September 02, 2026 06:39 pm IST - MALAPPURAM
K.T. Jaleel | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Former Higher Education Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader K.T. Jaleel has defended veteran Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar’s remarks on women, linking them to the public conduct and positions of woman leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its women students platform Haritha.
In a social media post, Dr. Jaleel said Mr. Kanthapuram’s statement came amid a debate among Muslims, particularly Sunnis, over the conduct of IUML’s woman leaders, the activities of Haritha and the silence of the League leadership on the issue.
He claimed that the public behaviour and positions of some IUML woman leaders were being discussed within the Muslim community as being inconsistent with prevailing Islamic beliefs. It was against this backdrop, he said, that Mr. Kanthapuram issued his statement cautioning Muslims.
Dr. Jaleel said the IUML leadership’s decision not to publicly engage with the controversy was significant. He named IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, MP, and P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, among those who carefully stayed out of the debate.
According to Dr. Jaleel, the veteran Sunni leader’s remarks were a reference to the need for IUML leaders to apply the Islamic position on women within the Vanitha League and Haritha as well.
Dr. Jaleel said Mr. Kanthapuram was a religious scholar and was entitled to express views based on religious teachings. Others, he said, were equally free to disagree with him.
He compared the controversy with the debate over women’s entry into Sabarimala, saying differing views on religious and social issues should be allowed in a democratic society.
Dr. Jaleel also said Mr. Kanthapuram had neither demanded that everyone accept his views nor called for the boycott of those who disagreed with him. Therefore, he argued, there was no justification for attacking the veteran scholar over his remarks.
Published - September 02, 2026 06:38 pm IST
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