Pandering to Islamists – Congress plays communal card in Kerala

One can understand the Congress’s desperation to win over Muslim votes in the run-up to next year’s Assembly election in Kerala, but it is shocking that the party should stoop to the level of openly backing the radical Islamist outfit — Popular Front of India. The PFI is credited with the shocking misdeed of chopping the right hand of a professor who allegedly defamed Mohammed while setting a question paper. According to the police, it is also said to be involved in a number of other dubious activities aimed at creating communal discord in the State. Yet the Congress has found merit in condemning Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan for saying, and rightly so, that the PFI is trying to “Islamise Kerala”. This remark, in the Congress’s twisted wisdom, amounts to ‘insulting’ Muslims, an interpretation that by no stretch of the imagination is credible. The PFI is not a role model for the community, and there is nothing to suggest that its conduct has the backing of Muslims at large. By lashing out at the State Government for its tough stance, the Congress is only strengthening the hands of subversive elements who seek inspiration from the Taliban. As an experienced politician, Mr Achuthanandan knows what he is talking about. That he has had to use such strong words only shows the threat posed by the PFI to Kerala and to the nation.

Thankfully, the Chief Minister, who is otherwise waging a battle against detractors in the CPI(M), has found support among his adversaries like Mr Pinarayi Vijayan. The State party secretary has backed Mr Achuthanandan’s remarks and said they do not amount to criticising the the Muslim community. Even CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, who does not share a very cordial relationship with Mr Achuthanandan, has reiterated that the PFI and its associates are taking Kerala towards Islamisation. Similarly, LDF members like the Forward Bloc have also been forthright in their condemnation of the PFI. The Congress, thus, stands not only isolated but also exposed: It is shameful that it should forge a communal agenda in the belief that this will help it secure the support of the Muslim community. This is insulting Muslims, not least because most of them are aghast over the frightening attempt to emulate the Taliban.

Interestingly, the Congress attack on the CPI(M) has only served to bridge the divide within the State Government and the CPI(M). The patch-up may not necessarily hold until the election, but if the Congress persists, chances are the various Marxist factions will unite. Whether that will eventually help the Left to retain power is anybody’s guess, but at least it will serve the purpose of putting down Islamists in Kerala. That is the most immediate task and should be undertaken without any delay.

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