Kozhikode: The political connections of Jamaat-e-Islami with both the LDF and UDF have once again come under scrutiny following the release of the book Keralam: Muslim Rashtreeyam, Rashtreeya Islam by CPM state committee member P Jayarajan. Published by Mathrubhumi Books, the book has already stirred a controversy in political circles as Jayarajan delivers a scathing attack against Jamaat-e-Islami, particularly in the light of their stance on religious statehood and radicalism.

The book was released by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kozhikode on October 26. During the event, the CM launched a strong attack against Jamaat-e-Islami, highlighting their connections to organisations like the Brotherhood and labeling it as an extremist outfit. He also criticised the Muslim League for hobnobbing with Jamaat-e-Islami. However, it has been pointed out that the CPM has benefited from its ties with Jamaat-e-Islami even before the latter entered politics.

In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Jamaat-e-Islami announced their support for LDF candidates in 18 constituencies in Kerala. They also pledged to work to defeat E. Ahmad, Shashi Tharoor, and K.V. Thomas. Subsequently, they continued their support for the LDF in the 2011 assembly elections across 124 constituencies. Even after the formation of the Welfare Party, they cooperated with the LDF in several local governing bodies.

It was during the 2020 local body elections that Jamaat-e-Islami began to align more closely with the UDF. The Muslim League, which had previously taken a strong stance against Jamaat-e-Islami, forged a deal with the Welfare Party in various local bodies. They supported the UDF in the 2021 assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, this alliance proved costly for the UDF, resulting in a significant loss of their core voters.

The pro-Jamaat-e-Islami stance has caused issues for the Muslim League at multiple points, as organisations like Samastha and Mujahid have expressed their discontent with the League's alliance with the Welfare Party. Mainstream Muslim organisations have consistently taken an anti-Jamaat-e-Islami position, criticising the IUML for providing political space to the Welfare Party. Nevertheless, IUML All India Organising Secretary ET Muhammad Basheer has defended Jamaat-e-Islami amidst the ongoing controversy, asserting that they are not an extremist outfit.

Jamaat-e-Islami is not an extremist outfit: ET Muhammad Basheer 

ET Muhammad Basheer, IUML national secretary, stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is not an extremist outfit and emphasised that the Muslim League has no connections with it. Reacting to CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s assertion that Jamaat has ties with international terrorist organizations, he accused the CPM of playing a dirty game. "What they are trying to do is create division among Muslim minorities. It was the CPM that welcomed the PDP at Ponnani and received their votes in several elections as well. This has been confirmed by the 'Amir' of Jamaat. It is quite ridiculous to accept their votes at one point and then denounce them later," he said.

"In the last election, Jamaat-e-Islami assisted the Muslim League. There is no need to hide this fact. What the CPM has adopted is a strategy similar to that of the BJP at the national level. The release of this book and the public statements being made are not coincidental," Basheer added.