Mathrubhumi, the second largest Malayalam daily, which reproduced an 'offensive' comment in the Facebook in its Calicut and Trichur editions, faced the maximum wrath of the protesters.

Sitting Kerala High Court judge Justice B Kemal Pasha's remarks on Muslim Personal Law and the subsequent reactions to them in the media have sparked off protests in the southern Indian state.

Mathrubhumi, the second largest Malayalam daily, which reproduced an 'offensive' comment in the Facebook in its Calicut and Trichur editions, faced the maximum wrath of the protesters.

Activists of various Muslim organisations thronged the newspaper's offices across the state on Wednesday burning the newspaper and calling for its boycott. The daily's headquarters at Calicut were also stoned by the protesters.

A virulent campaign was also unleashed against the daily in the social media. Pictures showing protesters burning the newspaper and abuses against the daily flooded the social networking sites. The protests in the social media continued even after the daily published an apology in its online editions, television channels and print editions.

In a front page apology in the print editions on Thursday, the daily's editor said that the controversial comment had found a place in the two editions due to carelessness. The Mathrubhumi management promised action against those responsible for it. The management also urged the government to take stern action against those making such offensive comments in the social media.

The comment was a reaction to the judge's poser to the men, who have four wives, whether they would allow the Muslim women the same privilege of four husbands.

The jibe aimed at Muslim religious outfits, who opposed reforms in the Muslim Personal Law.

While inaugurating a seminar on Domestic Violence Act organised a women lawyers' forum at Calicut, the judge said that many provisions in the law were anti-women. This, he said, was not in consonance with Islam.

The judge also sought to revive the demand for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) saying it was unfair to oppose it. He even chided the Supreme Court for its 'reluctance' to interfere in the subject.

Various Muslim organisations, including some progressive sections, have viewed the judge's remarks uncalled for. Noted writer Prof M N Karaserry, who always stood for the rights of Muslim women, said Pasha's advocacy for UCC would strengthen the Hindutva forces, which wields influence over the federal government now.

Jamaat-e-Islamic Hind and the Kerala Nadavthul Mujahideen (KNM) questioned the judge's views on polygamy. While Jamaat-e-Islamic Hind assistant ameer Shaikh Mohammed Karakkunnu justified it on humanitarian grounds, KNM state president T P Abdulla Madani said polygamy was scientific and religious.

All the organisations warned that the attempt to revive the demand for UCC would have far reaching ramifications in the country. They lambasted Justice Pasha for stirring the hornet's nest.

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