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These days, a very sensational case emerging from Kerala has become the center of discussion in the political and social circles of South India. The controversy that started over a sensitive statement related to women’s public participation and religious freedom has now reached the media, police and court actions. When a live TV debate was conducted on a leading Malayalam news channel on a Sunni religious scholar’s controversial remarks about women, the atmosphere inside and outside the studio was completely heated. After this debate, considering the seriousness of the situation, Kerala Police has not only registered a criminal case against a prominent TV anchor but has also taken legal action against a panelist of the show. Since this incident, a sharp and long debate has erupted in the state regarding freedom of expression, religious sentiments and political sensitivity.
If we turn the needle of this entire incident back, then it started with the well-known Sunni scholar and religious guru of Kerala, Kanthapuram A.P. It was from a statement by Abubakar Musliyar. Kanthapuram Musaliar, during one of his addresses, had given an advice regarding the participation of Muslim women in public life and their presence in programs. He had said in his statement that Muslim women should avoid being present in public places with non-relative men during religious events and public functions. As soon as his statement came to light, there was panic among the political and social organizations of Kerala. While on one hand it was justified in conservative religious circles, on the other hand people with modern and progressive ideology started strongly opposing it, terming it a violation of women’s rights.
Following the uproar over this statement of the Sunni scholar, a leading Malayalam television channel organized a live TV debate on this issue in the court of public. Well-known journalist and anchor Aparna Kurup was leading this debate show. During the debate, some such comments and questions were made by the anchor, which caused huge resentment among a particular section. The complainants allege that during the debate the anchor used words that hurt religious sentiments and created tension in the society. Seeing the increasing pressure and increasing controversy, although the concerned channel and journalist Aparna Kurup had publicly expressed regret over her comments, yet the controversy did not seem to stop and the matter went straight to the police station.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, a formal complaint was lodged at the Kochi City Cyber Police Station on Monday. This complaint was lodged by Abdul Hakeem B.M., a resident of Kasaragod. It was given by a person named. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against Malayalam TV journalist and anchor Aparna Kurup under stringent sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). According to police records, the anchor has been booked under Section 192 (attempt to incite riot with intent) and Section 299 (intentionally or maliciously hurting religious sentiments of any class). The police are now investigating what kind of terminology was used during the live debate that caused such deep hurt to a section of the society.
This controversy was not limited only to TV studios, but it also took a terrible form on the virtual platform of social media. Immediately after the debate, Vice President of ‘Wisdom Students’ organization Abdullah Basil C.P. Released a video message on social media. In this video, Basil alleged that the comments made by the anchor and others at the beginning of the TV debate were completely ‘Islamophobic’ i.e. anti-Islam and spreading hatred. After this social media post went viral, anchor Aparna Kurup also retaliated and lodged a complaint with the police, after which the police also registered a case against Abdullah Basil and another unknown person on charges of defamation and threats. However, as the matter gained momentum, the state government directed the police not to take any hasty punitive action against Basil.
This entire episode has created a stir in the mainstream politics of Kerala. Chief Minister V.D. Many prominent women politicians of the state, including Satheesan, have openly criticized Kanthapuram Abubakar Musaliar’s original statement in which women were advised not to be in public places. Critics say that such conservative thinking is completely against the modern society of the 21st century and the independent progress of women. On the other hand, General Secretary of the National Leadership of the Congress Party (AICC) KC Venugopal has adopted a balanced stance on this matter and said that the Congress Party will present its official and clear stand on this entire incident to the public at the appropriate time.
The entry of Kerala’s influential political party Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in this entire controversy has made the matter more interesting. IUML president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal termed the statement as a scholar’s personal religious viewpoint, which is an attempt by the party to strike a religious balance. However, on the other hand, Muslim Youth League General Secretary and MLA P.K. Taking an aggressive stance, Firoz said that he had met the State Home Minister and made a strong demand for immediate withdrawal of the case registered against social media activist Abdullah Basil. MLA Firoz has warned in no uncertain terms that his party will not tolerate any repressive action against the courageous youth who are exposing those who spread communal poison in the society. In the coming days, this matter may gain more importance on both legal and political fronts.