INDIA

Kerala Muslims stage massive protests against growing Islamophobia

By News Desk

May 15, 2023

Thousands of Muslims gathered in Kollam for a mass rally and public conference organized by the Kerala Muslim Jama-ath Federation (KMJF) to mark its 40th anniversary, Muslim Mirror reported.

The event aimed to address concerns affecting the Muslim community in India, including opposition to the proposed National Registration of Citizens (NRC) and Uniform Civil Code. KMJF leaders highlighted issues such as violence against Madrasas and Masjids, Hindutva fascism, and Islamophobia.

They stressed the importance of unity among Muslims and marginalized groups in countering these challenges. Participants raised slogans against Hindutva and called for the protection of the rights of the largest religious minority in India.

The Kerala Muslim Jama-ath Federation (KMJF), which is a part of the Dakshina Kerala Jami-yyathul Ulama, the largest Muslim group in central and southern Kerala, organized the rally.

The event, held to commemorate KMJF’s 40th anniversary, was addressed by prominent figures including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Indian Union Muslim League leader PK Kunjalikutty, and NK Premachandran MP. Other speakers included Dakshina Kerala Jamiatul Ulama President KP Abubakar Hazrat, General Secretary Todiyur Muhammad Kunj Maulavi, and Kerala Muslim Jamaat Federation State President Kadaikal Abdul Aziz Maulavi.

The event provided a platform for leaders to address the concerns of the Muslim community and emphasize the need for unity in the face of challenges.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Sangh Parivar of distorting the image of Kerala through false narratives and employing fascist tactics to propagate lies. He also alleged that the Sangh Parivar is attempting to disrupt religious celebrations by inciting violence.

Vijayan claimed that the Sangh Parivar is misusing art forms to manipulate public opinion and create a generation disconnected from historical facts. He emphasized that Kerala has always been successful in keeping religious extremists away from the lives of its citizens.

Expressing concern over the exclusion of prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad from textbooks, Vijayan clarified that the state’s intention is not to eliminate history from the curriculum but to ensure that it is taught based on factual accounts rather than conforming to the Sangh Parivar’s ideology.