In a scathing attack on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has called it one of the biggest “secular comedies” in Kerala politics.
In an editorial titled “The secular facade of the Muslim League” in Yoganadam, the mouthpiece of SNDP Yogam, Mr. Natesan said there was no other political party in Kerala as deeply infused with religion. The IUML’s aim, he said, is to secure the rights of Muslims, not to protect the rights of all people. The party continues to follow the path of the All India Muslim League, which played a major role in paving the way for the partition of India, he said.
“The IUML, in the past and even today, has several leaders with humanity who can feel the pain of others. Yet, the secularism of the new generation of its leaders is nothing more than a coat of paint that will wash away in a light drizzle. How can one not laugh when hearing the ‘secular’ speeches of League leaders like K.M. Shaji,” Mr. Natesan asked.
He said that leaders and workers who are IUML members by day become Popular Front of India members by night. “The IUML is playing a secular drama by fielding two or three poor Scheduled Caste candidates and getting them elected to the Assembly, because Muslims cannot contest from reserved constituencies,” Mr. Natesan said.
