Kerala Cleric Sparks Outrage After Comparing Women to ‘Gold Ornaments’ That Must Be Kept Hidden
Kochi: Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, the prominent Kerala-based Islamic scholar widely known as the Grand Mufti of India, has ignited a fierce national debate after asserting that women should remain confined to their homes to avoid “destruction.”
Addressing an Islamic conference in Kochi, the cleric—also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar—argued that the presence of women in the public sphere is fundamentally harmful. He drew a controversial analogy, likening women to precious jewellery that must be locked away to retain its value.
“If a necklace is to retain its beauty, it must be kept safely inside a box,” Ahmad stated. “If you leave a gold necklace on the roadside, people will touch it as they pass, gradually damaging its appearance and diminishing its value.”
He contrasted this with common household items like stone grinders, which he suggested could be left in public without concern because they lack inherent “preciousness.” According to the cleric, the Islamic tradition of purdah (the practice of veiling and seclusion) was mandated precisely to protect women from the consequences of public visibility.
A History of Controversial Directives
The remarks arrive amidst mounting tension regarding the role of women in public life within the region. The cleric’s comments follow a recently issued circular by the Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama—the state’s premier council of Sunni-Shafi Islamic scholars—which explicitly stated that “women should not be present on public platforms.”
The circular has faced sharp backlash from women’s rights activists and political leaders who view such mandates as an affront to modern values and constitutional equality.
In defense of his position, the Grand Mufti insisted that these views are consistent with the teachings upheld by religious scholars for the past century. He maintained that religious leaders have an obligation to enforce these boundaries and will continue to do so regardless of public criticism.
Who is Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad?
Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a highly influential figure within the Sunni sect of Islam in India and across South Asia. While the title “Grand Mufti of India” is not an official government-sanctioned designation, he is widely recognized as the 10th person to hold the title.
A Mufti is traditionally defined as an expert in Islamic law capable of issuing fatwas (legal opinions). Because of his high profile and status, his public pronouncements carry significant weight among his followers, frequently sparking discourse that pits conservative religious interpretations against contemporary social norms in India.
As the controversy continues to simmer, the statement has reignited the broader conversation regarding the intersection of religious orthodoxy and the evolving rights of women in the public sphere.
