The recent publication of CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan’s book, Keralam: Muslim Rashtreeyam, Rashtreeya IslamIt sparked controversy, especially among activists of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The book, released by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kozhikode on Saturday (October 26), takes a critical stance against PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani and describes him as a figure who influenced the Muslim youth in Kerala towards radicalism.

The book claims that Madani’s speeches were effective in “promoting extremist thoughts” but admits that he took a different approach after his arrest and subsequent imprisonment in the Coimbatore blast case. Jayarajan writes that Madani “tried to promote extremist thoughts through his emotional speeches.” However, he argues that “Madani changed his attitude after his imprisonment, and this is based on records and facts.”

These references sparked a backlash from the PDP, whose supporters staged protests in Kozhikode and burned copies of the book. PDP leaders denied the accusations in the book, stating that the CPI(M) had earlier claimed that Madani had not radicalized anyone and that CPI(M) leaders, including Pinarayi Vijayan, had shared platforms with him. They emphasized that PDP supports the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the 2021 Assembly elections and 2024 general elections.

Defending Jayarajan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that a writer’s views should be considered independently of the party’s stand. “An author has his or her own perspective, which may differ from the political ideology of the movement. It is not necessary for you to agree with personal opinions for a book to be published. “Opinion is the individual’s point of view and should be viewed as such,” he said.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to comment on Jamaat-e-Islami and criticized the organisation’s objectives compared to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). “League and Jamaat-e-Islami should not be viewed from the same window. While Jamaat’s aim is an Islamic state, League is a reformist movement with no alliances outside India. Jamaat has links with extremist groups abroad and, unlike Jamiat, aims for Islamic universalism. RSS and The community are birds of the same feather. The Union is collaborating with these communal groups only on its anti-communist agenda,” stated Vijayan.