The Kerala Police have registered a case against television journalist Aparna Kurup over remarks she made during a political debate on controversial comments by Sunni Islamic scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar regarding women appearing in public, as reported in India Today.
Kurup, senior coordinating editor of Malayalam news channel Big TV, was booked on Monday based on a complaint filed by Abdul Hakkim, a native of Kasaragod. Her remarks during a television debate had triggered criticism from several sections, particularly Muslim organisations.
According to the FIR, Kurup, while introducing a discussion on Kanthapuram’s remarks, allegedly said that certain people behave as though consuming cannabis, being arrested in narcotics cases or engaging in sexual misconduct is permitted under the teachings of the Quran.
The complaint alleged that the remarks were made with the intention and knowledge that they could provoke a breach of peace or even a riot, while deliberately hurting the religious sentiments of members of a religious community.
Police have invoked provisions relating to provoking riots, deliberately hurting religious sentiments, wounding religious feelings through words or gestures and promoting enmity between different groups. The FIR also includes a provision of the Kerala Police Act.
The provisions invoked carry punishments ranging from imprisonment of up to six months to three years, fines, or both. The Kerala Police Act provision carries a punishment of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both.
Case Follows Debate Over Kanthapuram’s Remarks
The case relates to Kurup’s introductory remarks before a television discussion on statements made by Kanthapuram, one of Kerala’s prominent Muslim clerics and the Grand Mufti of India.
Kanthapuram had recently said that Islam prescribes that women should remain confined to their homes and that women stepping out would lead to “great destruction”.
Kurup’s comments came while she was criticising the cleric’s position.
Islamists are giving death threats to Kerala journalist Aparna Kurup.
• Her address and family details have been leaked, and she has reportedly been threatened with a bounty of ₹1 crore.
• Big TV journalist Aparna Kurup was forced to apologise over remarks criticising Sunni…
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) September 6, 2026
Following the broadcast, she faced criticism from several Muslim organisations and others on social media. Police said Kurup subsequently filed a separate complaint over alleged attacks and threats against her.
Case Against Islamist Organisation Leader Withdrawn
The controversy escalated after police registered a separate case against two persons, including Abdulla Basil CP, an office-bearer of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, over alleged threats of physical assault against Kurup.
The government later decided to withdraw the case against Basil following criticism over the action.
Basil had participated in a television discussion on Kanthapuram’s remarks. After the programme, he allegedly posted a video containing some of Kurup’s statements along with clips or slugs from the channel.
The post accused the channel of attempting to spread Islamophobia rather than discussing the underlying issue.
Those opposing the case against Basil argued that he was exercising his right to criticise the journalist and that abusive comments appeared in the responses to his post rather than in the post itself.
Several political leaders also supported Basil, including Congress leaders and leaders of its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
IUML MLA P. K. Firoze publicly demanded withdrawal of the case and said he had contacted Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala regarding the matter.
“When the Islamophobia inside her came out, Abdulla put forward a debate exposing it with clear facts,” Firoze said, referring to Kurup’s remarks and Basil’s subsequent response.
Following the criticism, Chennithala directed the police to withdraw action against Basil.
Journalist Apologises
Amid the controversy, Kurup apologised for her remarks and said the discussion had been intended to uphold equality and social justice for women.
She also said the controversial videos had been removed from the channel’s social media platforms.
“Some of the remarks made during the Big Dialogue discussion on gender discrimination against women should have been avoided. If they have hurt anyone’s religious sentiments or beliefs, we express our unconditional regret,” she said.
Big TV also issued a statement saying that while the channel stood by its demand for equal consideration and social justice for women irrespective of religion, it had removed the video because it could create “a misunderstanding in society”.
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