SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan launched a renewed attack on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), asserting that the majority community will never forget historical tragedies like the Malabar Rebellion of 1921 and the 2003 Marad Riots.
In an editorial, titled ‘Won’t forget Malabar rebellion and Marad,’ published in the SNDP Yoganadam mouthpiece Yoganadam, Natesan recalled the 1921 Malabar Rebellion and the Marad communal riots, warning that the IUML’s ambitions and divisive politics pose a continuous threat to the state’s secular fabric.
Accusing the IUML of pursuing an extreme anti-Hindu agenda and acting with unwarranted authority, Natesan, in the editorial, asserted that the majority community will never forget historical tragedies like the Malabar Rebellion and the Marad riots, claiming the IUML’s political actions could provoke similar incidents. “The Muslim League (IUML) grew and flourished in the land of the Malabar riots, which killed and displaced Hindus. The strategy of turning a massacre into a freedom struggle is no longer valid. We know very well who is behind the Marad riots,” reads the editorial.
Natesan sharply criticized the IUML’s role in state governance, alleging that the party pushes communal agendas under the guise of secularism. He further alleged that the IUML shields extremists and targets those who oppose its communal influence, explicitly attacking leader K.M. Shaji and highlighting a common cause with the NSS.
He firmly denied accusations of being anti-Muslim. He argued that he is only targeting the IUML’s alleged discrimination and religious favoritism, rather than the Muslim community at large. “The organization is making a deliberate effort to isolate anyone who opposes the Muslim League’s (IUML) anti-secular and anti-democratic stance, branding them as anti-Muslim and communal. The SNDP Yogam general secretary is being attacked on the streets for strongly opposing the religious discrimination and communalism of the organization called the Muslim League, not the Muslim religion,” Natesan wrote
In the editorial, Vellappally Natesan also condemned IUML protests, specifically the provocative rally in Idukki, stating he will not be intimidated by street abuses, threats, or the burning of his effigies.
The IUML courted controversy after a celebratory procession held following the announcement of VD Satheesan as Chief Minister featured provocative slogans. The march, organised by the IUML in the Idukki district, featured slogans such as “In Kerala, the land where the League rules, it is the League that decides the laws,” along with abusive remarks targeting leaders of caste organisations.
The sloganeering, which initially hailed Satheesan, later turned sharper, directly targeting Nair Service Society (NSS) chief Sukumaran Nair and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
“Who is this Vellappally? Who is this Sukumaran? Look closely, this is the League, Panakkad’s League,” the workers shouted. They also used abusive language against Vellappally Nateshan, who had targeted the party in harsh language in the run-up to the polls.
The IUML state leadership strongly rejected the sloganeering as inconsistent with the party’s values and suspended the Idukki district committee.