‘Flip-flop': BJP mocks CM Satheesan, claims he deleted post slamming cleric's remarks on women

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Kerala CM VD Satheesan, alleging that he deleted a social media video in which he had criticised Grand Mufti of India Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar’s remarks on women’s participation in public life.The BJP accused Satheesan of “flip-flops” and alleged that he had backed down after initially taking a strong stand against the Sunni cleric’s comments.“The Chief Minister V D Satheesan is not the prince of principles, but the prince of flip-flops,” the Kerala BJP said in a social media post.The party alleged that Satheesan’s stand changed after pressure from political and religious groups, and accused him of “surrendering before religious extremist forces”.BJP alleges Satheesan ‘backtracked’The BJP claimed that Satheesan had deleted his video hours after criticising Kanthapuram’s remarks. It also alleged that the chief minister’s position was influenced by the Jamaat-e-Islami and Indian Union Muslim League.“The Chief Minister of Kerala is nothing but a playing card in their hands,” the BJP said, alleging that Satheesan was “dancing to their tune”.The allegations came a day after Satheesan publicly rejected Kanthapuram’s remarks that women should remain at home and said women must participate in mainstream public life.Satheesan rejects restrictions on womenSpeaking to reporters on Wednesday, Satheesan said the Kerala government did not agree with the cleric’s position.“We don't agree with his statement that women should stay home. It's not a suitable stand in our developing Keralam. It's not the 19th century that one should make such statements. Even Islam doesn't say that. Women should not stay home, but join the mainstream. That is our stand,” he said.Satheesan’s comments came amid criticism of Kanthapuram over his defence of directives issued by his faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama regarding women’s participation in religious celebrations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.