A major political controversy has erupted in Kerala after remarks by senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former minister A K Balan drew a strong legal response from the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH). The Islamic organization has served Balan with a legal notice demanding Rs 1 crore in damages and an unconditional public apology for his comments, which they allege are defamatory and aimed at spreading Islamophobia for electoral gains.
Legal Notice Alleges Defamation and Electoral Motive
In the legal notice, issued by JIH Kerala secretary Shihab Pookkottur, the organization has strongly condemned Balan's statements. The notice asserts that Balan falsely claimed that if the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) comes to power, the Jamaat-e-Islami would control the state's home department and that a repeat of the Marad riots could occur.
The notice accuses the CPM leader of making these remarks with a mala fide intention to create communal polarization and hatred against the Muslim community to benefit his party in the upcoming assembly elections. It further states that Balan falsely suggested JIH conspired to instigate communal riots in Palakkad district.
Invoking BNS section 356 (1), the notice holds Balan liable for punishment. It has given him a seven-day ultimatum to comply with its demands, which include:
- Payment of Rs 1 crore as compensation.
- Issuing an unconditional public apology.
- Withdrawing the remarks in a press conference.
Failure to meet these demands will result in the initiation of both civil and criminal proceedings against him.
Political Reactions and Accusations of Polarization
The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from other political quarters linked to the organization. Razak Paleri, the state president of the Welfare Party, which is the political arm of the Jamaat-e-Islami, accused CPM leaders of attempting communal polarization that threatens Kerala's social fabric.
Paleri stated that Balan's comments on the Marad riots were clearly designed to fuel Islamophobia and were part of the CPM's "social engineering" strategy ahead of the polls. He made a serious allegation, claiming, "By deliberately provoking Kerala's secular traditions to the maximum, CPM is encouraging the efforts by people like Vellappally Natesan to create space for Sangh Parivar."
He warned that the party is attempting to build a dangerous environment that grants social acceptance to individuals who align with the Sangh Parivar's ideology.
LDF's Cautious Response
In response to the escalating row, Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener T P Ramakrishnan offered a measured statement. He clarified that neither the LDF nor the CPM had officially taken such a stand as implied by Balan's remarks.
However, Ramakrishnan stopped short of outrightly rejecting or condemning Balan's comments. He instead described Balan as a leader who has firmly opposed communalism, suggesting that his remarks might have been made 'based on certain calculations'. This nuanced response has added another layer to the ongoing political debate, leaving the ball in Balan's court as the seven-day deadline for the legal notice ticks down.
