The Sangh’s ‘Muhammadika’: A rare journey from the Muslim community to the RSS

The relationship between the Muslim community and the Hindu organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in Kerala has always been a rare one. Amid this rarity, Mohammed from Cheeral in Wayanad was someone who actively served as an RSS Swayamsevak for more than four decades.

Mohammed dedicated over 40 years of his life to the RSS as a Swayamsevak. Following his death on Saturday at the age of 56, local residents and fellow RSS members gathered to pay tribute to his memory, reflecting on a life that was both deeply committed and uniquely extraordinary.

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Affectionately known as “Muhammadika” (Brother Muhammad) among RSS workers, his life story represents a rare bridge between the orthodox Muslim community and the Hindu nationalist organization.

Mohammed’s association with the Sangh Parivar began when an RSS branch was established in Cheeral, Wayanad. Around 40 years ago, he joined the branch along with his Hindu friends. Over time, that association became an integral part of his life.

Mohammed completed the first- and second-year Sangh Shiksha Varg (training camps) conducted by the organization and remained actively involved in its activities for many years. His colleagues say that discipline, simplicity, and selfless service were the defining qualities of his personality.

Apart from his organizational work, Muhammadika also made a significant mark in sports. As an active member of the Bhavana Pazhoor Club, a well-known arts and sports organization in Wayanad, he served as the dependable goalkeeper of its football team. Those close to him remember him as a man deeply devoted both to the sport and to his community.

His family did not share the Sangh’s ideology. His relatives remained associated with other mainstream political and social organizations in Kerala. Despite these differences, Mohammed remained a committed and dedicated RSS worker until his death.

He never expressed any interest in joining electoral politics. Local BJP leaders said that he focused solely on organizational work and never actively campaigned for the BJP.

Mohammed was diagnosed with pneumonia a year ago. Farming was his primary livelihood. His colleagues said he was a hardworking farmer and believed he contracted the illness after working in the rain in his fields.

When he became seriously ill with pneumonia, RSS volunteers took complete responsibility for his medical treatment and hospital arrangements. Following his death, his last rites were conducted entirely in accordance with traditional Islamic customs, with active participation from his Sangh colleagues.