Malappuram row: Amid flak, CPM says party leader’s remarks targeted IUML, Jamaat-e-Islami

A political row has erupted in Kerala after CPM leader P. Nandakumar described Malappuram district as a “nest of religious fundamentalists and communalists”, triggering sharp reactions from across the political spectrum.

The former Ponnani MLA made the remark on Saturday while delivering the welcome address at an extended CPM district committee meeting held to review the party’s activities. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and senior CPM leader K.K. Shailaja were among those present on the dais.

CPM says remark was not against Malappuram

CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan on Sunday sought to contain the controversy, saying the party had never made communal remarks against Malappuram or its people.

Govindan said the CPM’s criticism was directed at the alleged influence of communalism on political parties, particularly the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). He said the party had raised concerns over what it considers the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami on IUML members in Malappuram and elsewhere in Kerala.

“That is what we have criticised and that is the party's stand. We have not said anything against the district. Malappuram was part of the Indian freedom struggle and people from all religions participated in that,” Govindan said.

CM demands apology from CPM, Nandakumar

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, however, launched a strong attack on the CPM over the remarks.

In posts on Facebook and X on Sunday, Satheesan condemned what he described as “communal slurs” against the people of Malappuram. He questioned why the statement was made in the presence of senior CPM leaders, including Pinarayi Vijayan, without an immediate objection or correction.

Satheesan argued that the absence of a response from the party leadership raised questions about whether the remarks had tacit acceptance within the CPM.

He also linked Nandakumar’s comments to what he described as Vijayan’s earlier “anti-Malappuram” remarks during his tenure as chief minister. Satheesan accused the CPM of adopting “dog-whistle politics” similar to that of the Sangh Parivar.

“Both the CPM and the Sangh Parivar are not two but one,” he alleged.

Satheesan demanded that Vijayan and the CPM central leadership clarify their position publicly. He also called for an unconditional apology from both Vijayan and Nandakumar to the people of Kerala.

The Chief Minister also warned that the government would take strict legal action against attempts to spread communal hatred.

“Let there be no ambiguity: Keralam's secular fabric will be protected at all costs. Anyone who attempts to peddle communal hatred will face strict and uncompromising legal action,” he said.

The remarks have added a wider political dimension to the controversy, with the dispute moving beyond the CPM and Congress to include the IUML and other organisations.

K.M. Shaji questions logic behind remark

IUML leader and state Local Self Government Minister K.M. Shaji also criticised Nandakumar’s statement.

Shaji questioned whether a district could be described negatively simply because a particular political party has a strong presence there.

He drew a comparison with Kannur, where the CPM has traditionally had considerable political influence, and asked whether that alone would justify describing the district as a place of violence.

“Kannur is place where there are a lot of good people,” he said.

Referring to Nandakumar’s remarks, Shaji said the statement suggested that attempts within the Left to improve its approach were being undermined by its own members.

“It was a wrong remark. It is not correct. It was not just targeted at a place, but a community also. It is not made by mistake. It is an indication of their inherent opinion,” he contended.

V.S. Joy calls Malappuram a symbol of unity

Congress leader and Thavanur MLA V.S. Joy also rejected the description of Malappuram, though he did not directly name Nandakumar in his social media post.

Calling the district a symbol of communal harmony, Joy wrote: “Malappuram is not a nest… It is a palace… A gem-studded palace stitched together by secular minds. The history of Malappuram is known not to those who built walls in the name of religion, but to those who built bridges of love between people”.

Complaints filed with police

The controversy has also reached the police.

According to police officials, multiple organisations, including the Muslim Youth League, have filed formal complaints against Nandakumar over his speech.