Keralam CM demands apology from CPI(M) for “seeking to demonise” Muslim-majority Malappuram district
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has demanded an apology from the CPI(M) for remarks made by a party leader that allegedly demonized the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. The controversy centers on accusations that the CPI(M) is adopting communal rhetoric to appeal to right-wing voters.
Why it matters
This highlights rising communal tensions in Indian state politics and the shifting ideological strategies of major political parties regarding minority representation.
Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Sunday (October 4, 2026) demanded an unconditional apology from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] for allegedly seeking to demonise the Muslim-majority Malappuram district as a “hive of fundamentalists and communalists”.
In a post on X, Mr. Satheesan “strongly condemned the communal slurs made by the CPI(M) leader P. Nandakumar, denigrating the people of Malappuram as fundamentalists”.
Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Nandakumar delivered the “unacceptable rhetoric” in the presence of former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan. He said Mr. Vijayan did not object or seek to correct Mr. Nandakumar’s remarks, signalling that the former MLA’s remarks had the CPI(M)’s “tacit endorsement”.
Mr. Satheesan accused the CPI(M) in Keralam of borrowing a page from the Sangh Parivar playbook by playing dog-whistle politics aimed at appeasing the right-wing Hindu nationalist base by disparaging minority communities.
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