---
title: "V.D. Satheesan Rejects Kanthapuram’s Remarks Against Women Entering Public Life"
english_title: "Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan V.D. Satheesan Rejects Kanthapuram’s Remarks on Women in Public Life"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380804/vd-satheesan-rejects-kanthapuram-women-public-life-remarks"
published_at: "2026-09-02T11:39:00+05:30"
category: "Kerala"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a97bfd3976b2_vd-satheesan-rejects-kanthapuram-women-public-life-remarks.jpg"
keywords: ["V D Satheesan", "Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar", "Kerala Politics", "Women in Public Life", "Muslim Women", "Kerala Government", "Congress"]
---

# V.D. Satheesan Rejects Kanthapuram’s Remarks Against Women Entering Public Life

> **Lead Summary:** Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has strongly rejected remarks made by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar opposing women entering public life. Satheesan made it clear that neither the state government nor the Congress party supports Kanthapuram’s position, describing the remarks as contrary to the progressive outlook of Kerala.

## Article Content

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has strongly rejected remarks made by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar opposing women entering public life. Satheesan made it clear that neither the state government nor the Congress party supports Kanthapuram’s position, describing the remarks as contrary to the progressive outlook of Kerala.

Speaking to the media after the Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the statement was an idea that belonged to the 19th century and had no place in the 21st century. He also alleged that the remarks amounted to a misinterpretation of Islamic history.

> “There is no agreement whatsoever with Kanthapuram’s statement. Neither the government nor the party will stand by what he has said. It is not a position that suits progressive Kerala,” Satheesan said.

He stressed that women should not be confined to their homes and should have an equal role in all areas of public and social life. According to Satheesan, the progressive position is that women should actively participate in the mainstream of society without restrictions based on gender.

Satheesan also referred to several examples from Islamic history to challenge the argument that women should remain away from public life. He pointed out that Prophet Muhammad’s first wife, Khadija, was a successful businesswoman. He also cited Aisha, another wife of the Prophet, who was involved in military affairs.

Referring to historical accounts of Queen Bilqis, Satheesan said women had held positions of authority in Islamic history. He also cited an incident from the court of Caliph Umar, where a woman reportedly questioned a decision concerning mahr and Umar acknowledged that her argument was correct.

Meanwhile, the Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the UDF and part of the state government, has adopted a cautious position on the controversy. League president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said Kanthapuram may have made the remarks out of concern for women’s safety. Congress ministers had earlier criticised Kanthapuram’s comments, while League ministers have largely remained silent on the issue.

The controversy has consequently highlighted differing responses within the UDF over the remarks concerning women’s participation in public life.

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