Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has publicly acknowledged that he met with leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) in the past, but he offered a strong clarification and used the occasion to launch a sharp political attack. Speaking at a 'meet the leader' program at the Calicut Press Club, the veteran CPM leader left no ambiguity about his party's stance towards the organization, describing it as rooted in religious extremism.
Clarification on the Controversial Meeting
Vijayan confirmed that the meeting with JEI leaders took place at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. He emphasized that the interaction happened at the specific request of the Jamaat-e-Islami, which had approached the Communist Party of India (Marxist) seeking an opportunity to explain its position. The Chief Minister stated he attended "fully convinced that JEI was communal."
He was quick to add that he did not grant the organization any favorable endorsement during that discussion. "Jamaat-e-Islami is not an organization that anyone should attempt to whitewash. It cannot be purified," Vijayan asserted. He characterized JEI as an international entity that adopts different positions in different regions but remains fundamentally an organization grounded in religious extremism.
Unsparing Criticism of JEI and Its Allies
The Chief Minister elaborated on his party's consistent view, stating that the CPM and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) have never held a favorable opinion of JEI. He claimed that a majority of secular-minded believers also oppose the group. Vijayan then turned his focus to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF).
He alleged that the IUML has effectively accepted the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, and even senior JEI figures are now offering favorable certificates to the League. To bolster his argument, Vijayan referenced an affidavit submitted by the then Oommen Chandy-led UDF government in January 2014. That affidavit, presented to the High Court, described JEI as an extremist organization and noted that steps were being finalized to ban 14 books published by the Islamic Publishing House.
"That was the UDF government's stand then. How did JEI suddenly become a symbol of virtue now?" Vijayan questioned. He argued that JEI has not altered its communal ideology, but it is the UDF that has changed by giving them a clean chit.
Confrontation with Solidarity Youth Movement
During his address, Vijayan also recounted a pointed exchange with functionaries of the Solidarity Youth Movement, who were present at the same meeting with JEI. He recalled that when the Solidarity leaders were introduced, he immediately asked if they were not the biggest anti-social elements around.
"They were shocked and asked why I said so," Vijayan narrated. "I told them they oppose everything that benefits society and people who do that deserve to be called out. We have never hesitated to say what needs to be said." This remark underscored his combative stance towards organizations perceived as obstructive by the LDF government.
Ready for Debate and Attack on UDF MPs
Responding to other queries, the Chief Minister addressed a challenge from AICC general secretary KC Venugopal for a debate on the performance of UDF MPs. Vijayan declared he was ready for it and said the time and venue could be decided mutually.
He also criticized UDF MPs for raising concerns about whether the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) would be discontinued after Kerala was declared extreme-poverty-free. Vijayan interpreted these questions as revealing the "anti-people stand" of the MPs, suggesting they were casting doubt on the state's achievement and the central scheme's continuity.
The event in Kozhikode served as a platform for the Chief Minister to firmly reiterate his party's ideological position while mounting a multi-pronged political offensive against both ideological opponents like JEI and electoral rivals in the UDF ahead of the crucial political season.
