Kerala CPI(M) state committee member P Jayarajan has ignited a heated debate with his recent comments on the influence of political Islam in Kerala, particularly concerning the recruitment of youth to extremist organizations such as the Islamic State (IS). His remarks, made during an interview with Prime 21, a regional channel based in Kannur, have triggered reactions across the political spectrum in the southern state.
Political Islam Leading Youth To Terrorism
Jayarajan stated that while only a few individuals from Kannur have joined extremist groups, the influence of political Islam on young people is a growing concern. He emphasized that the situation demands serious attention, as even a small number of youths being drawn towards terrorism is alarming. His comments came in the context of the forthcoming release of his book, ‘Keralam, Muslim Rashtreeyam-Rashtreeya Islam,’ which discusses the rise of political Islam and its impact on Kerala’s Muslim community.
Jayarajan’s upcoming book, set to release in October, delves deeper into the ideological underpinnings of political Islam and the activities of organizations like PFI and Jamaat-e-Islami. The book also addresses sensitive issues such as IS recruitment modules in Kerala that were busted in the past few years and the controversial ‘Kashmir recruitment case,’ which saw four youths from Kerala die in an encounter with the Indian Army in Kupwara.
Political Islam
According to Jayarajan, political Islam differs from Muslim politics, which is intended to represent and uplift the Muslim community. He warned that political Islamic ideologies are dangerous and have led to the rise of extremist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala. He said, “Today political Islam is becoming a dangerous influence in the world. We hear about youths joining in Islamic State (IS) and moving to Syria and Afghanistan. We need not exaggerate such cases, but some youths are being influenced by ‘Political Islam’.”
Extremism & IS Recruitment In Kerala
Jayarajan’s comments also touched on the sensitive issue of Islamic extremism and recruitment to the Islamic State from Kerala. He revealed that groups like SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) and PFI have facilitated the recruitment of indoctrinated youth into IS, with Kannur and Kasaragod being key recruitment hubs. According to him, the influence of these organizations on vulnerable youth has led to several individuals from Kerala joining IS, a fact that has been of increasing concern over recent years. He pointed out that some operatives of SIMI and PFI have even infiltrated the CPI(M), enabling the recruitment of these youths. Jayarajan disclosed statistics that highlight an increase in Islamic extremism, stating that many recruits have been lured through religious fundamentalism.
He said, “Most importantly, after the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, youths have been going in the wrong direction. They were not addressed properly. Recruitments into IS have taken place. A few youths from Kannur had joined IS and went to Syria and Afghanistan. Four others joined terror groups in Kupwara in Kashmir, and they were killed in an encounter by the Indian Army. We don’t want to exaggerate it. But youths are being influenced by ‘Political Islam‘. These youths are made to believe that they will not be able to live with the idea of secularism but instead, religious politics will help them survive in this country.”
'Political Islam is dangerous': P. Jayarajan, CPM leader
Congress and CPM have ruled Kerala for many years. It is under their patronage that terrorism has grown in Kerala: @MOS_MEA, BJP@DeeptiSachdeva_ shares more details. pic.twitter.com/KtaX9PUA1G
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 18, 2024
This is not the first time such concerns have been raised. Jayarajan’s remarks echo the earlier statements made by V S Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala, who in 2010 warned that Islamic organizations like SIMI and PFI were using tactics like “money and marriages” to turn Kerala into an Islamic state. Achuthanandan’s statements were criticized by sections of both the CPI(M) and the Congress, and he was subsequently marginalized for his strong stance against films like The Kerala Story which spoke about Love Jihad. Jayarajan’s recent remarks appear to bring those concerns back into focus.
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