Prejudice affects everyone, but when it infiltrates the governing systems of a nation, it wreaks havoc. The RSS ideology brims with anti-Muslim bias, and this bigotry is alarmingly prevalent in contemporary India.
We typically anticipate a marked departure from bias within the CPI (M), expecting an impartial stance. However, this seems conspicuously absent, particularly within Kerala’s Home Ministry.
Notably, Communist Party of India (CPI) national leader Annie Raja has condemned the Kerala police for succumbing to RSS influence. She expressed concerns over the RSS’s infiltration into the police force, emphasizing it as a significant threat that the state government must address urgently. The CPI is the second-largest member of the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala. (Source: “RSS gang in Kerala Police behind inaction, says Annie Raja,” Hindu, September 1, 2021)
Allow me to illustrate the case with specific examples:
1. On September 8, 2021, Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Bishop of Palai, publicly accused a segment of the Muslim community of engaging in “love jihad” and “narcotic jihad.” Despite this communal provocation, the Kerala police failed to take appropriate action. Furthermore, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended the bishop’s inflammatory remarks, stating that they were made within the confines of a religious sermon and not intended for public dissemination. Such justifications are concerning, especially given the divisive nature of the bishop’s statements. His sermon effectively incited hatred against Muslim men and should be treated as a criminal offense. Pinarayi Vijayan’s defence of the bishop only exacerbates the situation, undermining the integrity of his office. It sets a dangerous precedent where hate speech goes unchecked under the guise of religious expression.
2. On January 13, 2022, Kerala police conducted a sweeping crackdown on activists, predominantly targeting Muslims, for their social media criticism of Hindu nationalist groups. Javid EP, a resident of Sreekandapuram, was among those arrested merely for sharing a post on social media. The disproportionate response from law enforcement, driven by a biased agenda, reflects a concerning trend of stifling dissent and targeting minority voices.
3. On April 2, 2023, terror charges were levied against Shahrukh Saifi, a resident of Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, in connection with an incident on a Kannur-bound train. The police attributed his radicalization to his association with controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik. However, such accusations seem to echo the divisive rhetoric of RSS ideology rather than being grounded in concrete evidence.
4. The blast on October 29, 2023, allegedly orchestrated by Martin, resulted in the tragic loss of lives and left the Muslim community under unjust suspicion. Several innocent Muslim men were detained in connection with the incident, highlighting the discriminatory practices within law enforcement agencies. This unjust profiling only serves to perpetuate fear and mistrust among minority communities.
5. The film “The Kerala Story,” released in 2023, propagates the Hindutva conspiracy theory of “Love Jihad,” further fuelling communal tensions. Despite calls for its ban, the government’s reluctance to intervene raises questions about its commitment to promoting religious harmony and secular values.
6. On February 23, 2024, the arrest of 27 Muslim students on charges of attempted murder raises serious concerns about police bias and communal profiling. The actions of law enforcement, coupled with the endorsement of such practices by political leaders, undermine the principles of justice and equality enshrined in our constitution.
7. The media’s complicity in perpetuating hate speech further exacerbates communal tensions and undermines the fabric of our society. It is imperative for the Kerala government to take decisive action against those spreading fake news and hate propaganda.
Safeguarding our secular values and upholding the principles of equality and justice is paramount to preserving the integrity of our nation.
We urge you to thoroughly investigate these incidents and address the systemic biases within law enforcement agencies.
A.M. Harris is the Secretary General of Indian National Muslim Jamaath Council, Thrissur, Kerala. Hailed from Thrissur, Harris earned his B. Com from Madras University, he has been a social activist for the last 50 years. He is also the working president of Kerala Muslim Jamaath Council. Formerly he was the director of Thrissur Chamber of Commerce. Email address: [email protected]
