Kerala Congress chief seeks CPI(M) apology over Malappuram remarks
Kerala Congress leader V.D. Satheesan has demanded an unconditional apology from the CPI(M) over remarks by leader P. Nandakumar that he said denigrated Muslim-majority Malappuram. The CPI(M) state secretary has distanced the party from the comments, while a Muslim Youth League complaint has been filed with police.
Kerala Congress leader V.D. Satheesan has demanded an unconditional apology from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over remarks concerning the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. In a post on X, Satheesan condemned comments attributed to CPI(M) leader P.
Nandakumar, alleging that they portrayed the people of Malappuram as fundamentalists and communalists. He said the remarks were made in the presence of former Chief Minister and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan. Satheesan criticised Vijayan for not objecting to or correcting the comments, saying this amounted to tacit endorsement by the CPI(M).
He also accused the party of using language intended to appeal to a right-wing Hindu nationalist base by disparaging minority communities. The Congress leader sought clarification from Vijayan and the CPI(M) central leadership. He also questioned the party’s claim to represent progressive and secular politics and warned that strict action should be taken against those promoting communalism.
The controversy followed Nandakumar’s welcome address at an extended CPI(M) district committee meeting in Ponnani, Malappuram, on Saturday. CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan subsequently sought to distance the organisation from the remarks.
Govindan said the CPI(M) was ideologically opposed to the influence of communal forces on political organisations, including the Indian Union Muslim League. CPI(M) leader and former legislator K.T. Jaleel also sought to ease tensions, describing Malappuram as a haven for secular forces.
Congress leader V.S. Joy similarly praised the district’s secular character. The Muslim Youth League has filed a police complaint against Nandakumar, accusing him of attempting to inflame communal divisions.
The supplied material does not report a formal apology from the CPI(M) or a police finding.
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