A political slugfest broke out in Kerala after senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader AK Balan claimed that if the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) came to power, the Home Department would be “handled by Jamaat-e-Islami,” triggering sharp reactions from the Congress, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the BJP.
Speaking in Palakkad, Balan said, “If the UDF comes to power under any circumstances, the BJP will destroy it in two days. That should be seen seriously by Malayalis. Not just that, Jamaat-e-Islami will be handling the Home Department if they come to power.”
He also referred to communal violence, saying that such a situation would lead to “not just one or two Maradu riots,” and alleged that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were taking positions that would aid this outcome.
CONGRESS HITS BACK
Opposition Leader VD Satheesan came down heavily on the CPI(M), calling Balan’s statement a divisive campaign.
“The statement that if UDF comes to power, Jamaat-e-Islami will handle the Home Department is a campaign similar to what Sangh Parivar is doing in the entire country,” Satheesan said.
Drawing a parallel with past elections, he added, “In Gujarat, in one of the Assembly elections, the BJP’s campaign was that if Congress wins, Ahmed Patel will be the Chief Minister.”
Satheesan alleged that “the Sangh Parivar strategy to create divide between the majority and minority community is being used by Balan through this statement,” and claimed that Balan made the remarks “with the knowledge of CPI(M) leadership.”
JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI SENDS LEGAL NOTICE TO AK BALAN
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind issued a legal notice to Balan, demanding that he withdraw his statement alleging attempts to create communal violence.
The organisation said it would file both criminal and civil cases if the remarks were not withdrawn and sought compensation of Rs 1 crore. Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that the remarks were aimed at “ensuring votes of other communities by creating fear against a Muslim organisation ahead of the Assembly elections.”
Reacting to the controversy, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Kerala Amir P Mujeeb Rahman said the remarks reflected Sangh Parivar ideology.
Referring to MS Golwalkar’s book ‘Bunch of Thoughts’, he said, “It says internal enemies are more dangerous than external enemies. Those internal enemies are Muslims, Christians and Communists.”
He alleged that Kerala was witnessing a dangerous shift, saying, “If Yogi Adityanath conducting bulldozer justice and Narendra Modi troubling the Muslim community are criticised, then political parties in Kerala are also attacking minority communities.”
Calling the use of Jamaat-e-Islami in political campaigns dangerous, he said, “A left front that led all religious and social groups to oppose fascism taking this approach to power is dangerous.”
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar attacked the Congress and the IUML, alleging an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami.
“This is very dangerous because Jamaat is not any normal organisation,” he said, alleging links to violence in Bangladesh and accusing the organisation of advocating an Islamic nation and Sharia rule.
He claimed that IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami had come together to defeat National Democratic Alliance candidates in several places, including Kodungallur.
On Balan’s Marad riots reference, Chandrasekhar said the CPI(M) should reflect on its own past alliances, adding that the growing influence of Jamaat and its alleged ties with IUML and Congress was “a matter of concern for every Malayali.”
