Islamic scholar Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad, widely known as the Grand Mufti of India, has sparked controversy after saying women should remain confined to their homes. He compared women to precious gold jewellery that must be kept safely inside a box to protect its beauty and value. The cleric made the remarks while speaking at an Islamic conference in Kochi, Kerala.

Ahmad said allowing women to enter the public sphere could lead to what he described as “great destruction”. He also defended the purdah system, saying it was intended to protect women. "It is precisely recognising that bringing women onto public platforms in this manner causes great destruction that Islam mandated purdah for women," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

The Kerala-based scholar, also known as Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, compared women with gold ornaments while explaining his views on their presence in public spaces. "If the necklace has to retain its beauty, it has to be kept safely inside a box," he said.

He also used the example of a store selling stone grinders to explain the difference. According to him, such items can be kept outside on the roadside without much concern. People can walk around them or even walk over them without causing much damage.

He said gold jewellery cannot be treated in the same way. If a gold necklace is left on the roadside, people may touch it as they pass by. He claimed that repeated contact could damage its appearance and reduce its value. Through the comparison, Ahmad argued that women should also be kept away from public spaces to protect them.

Speaking at the conference, the cleric also referred to the Holy Quran while explaining his position on women appearing in public. He said, "The Holy Quran states that women should live confined within their homes and must not make public appearances."

His remarks come shortly after a controversial circular that stated "women should not be present on public platforms". The circular faced criticism from several quarters. A number of women political leaders also spoke out against the directive and questioned the restrictions placed on women.

The controversy is linked to the Kanthapuram faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, one of Kerala's prominent councils of Sunni-Shafi Islamic scholars. The faction said last week that religious celebrations and programmes should take place within prescribed boundaries.

Kanthapuram defended the position taken by religious scholars and said such views have been taught by knowledgeable Islamic scholars for around 100 years. He maintained that religious scholars who have studied Islamic teachings have a responsibility to speak on the matter.

He also said such scholars would continue to express their views despite objections and criticism. His latest comments have again brought the debate over women's participation in public and religious platforms into focus.

Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad is a prominent figure among Sunni Muslims in India and across the South Asian region. He is widely referred to as the ‘Grand Mufti of India’, although the title does not have official recognition from the Indian government. He is considered the 10th person to hold the title.

India also has other figures who are referred to as grand muftis, with prominent mosques and Islamic institutions serving as their bases. The term ‘Mufti’ generally refers to an Islamic scholar who is an expert in Islamic law.