Kerala: BJP march gets shouted down and chased away by IUML-Congress mob

On May 7th, a video went viral over the internet in which the Islamists could be seen barging into a BJP rally in Koduvally, Kerala. The Islamists could be seen raising slogans against the BJP and creating mayhem. It is alleged in the video that the Islamists who created a ruckus in the BJP rally were associated with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

 

"This is Koduvally, North Kerala. 90% Muslim (Yes 90%). Muslim League - Congress workers are heckling a small group of BJP men and women. What would they have done if Kerala were not part of the Hindu-majority India? All pretence of Democratic civility disappears once the demography changes," the caption of the video that is making rounds on social media reads.

 

 

It is important to note that the electoral success of the Indian Union Muslim League and the Indian National Congress in Kerala once again highlighted the extent of vote-bank politics dominating the state’s political landscape. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) relied heavily on minority consolidation, particularly in the Malabar region, where the IUML continues to exercise strong influence over Muslim voters through its deep-rooted cadre network and community-based mobilisation.

Congress, despite years of internal factionalism and weak leadership, managed to benefit from anti-incumbency sentiments and local dissatisfaction over economic issues such as unemployment and rising prices. The alliance also aggressively targeted specific communities through welfare promises and identity-driven campaigning rather than presenting a long-term development vision for Kerala.

 

The results reflect how caste and religious calculations continue to shape electoral outcomes in the state. Strategic seat-sharing between Congress and the IUML, combined with polarised voting patterns and strong booth-level mobilisation, helped the UDF secure the maximum seats in the recently concluded elections.

 

 

 

 

Ahead of the recently held elections in the state, the IUML could be seen working to consolidate the maximum number of Muslim votes across Kerala, particularly in the five Malabar districts, where the community’s demographic presence ranges from nearly 70% in Malappuram to around 29% in Wayanad, a factor seen as critical for the UDF to return to power.

Also, in February 2026, the IUML had openly called for the bifurcation of Malappuram, urging a scientific review of the boundaries of districts. Notably, the proposal to create a new district in such a region could strengthen identity-driven political consolidation, potentially reinforcing “vote-bank” dynamics. In such a scenario, administrative decisions perceived through a communal lens may deepen social divisions, even if not intended.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a political entity dedicated to safeguarding Muslim rights, has Congress's silent support as the latter, several times in the past, has called the former a 'secular' party. This is even after IUML openly stating that it works to safeguard only Muslim rights.

Is the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) 'secular' as often claimed by Congress?

The IUML, which claims to have come into existence after 1948, is an offshoot of the All India Muslim League (AIML), a party founded by Pakistan’s founder and Islamist leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah. After partition, the AIML was succeeded by the Muslim League in Pakistan and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in India. It is a known fact that the Muslim League openly demanded the establishment of a separate nation for Muslims, and their demand was fulfilled with the creation of Pakistan.

The formation of the IUML was a part of the plan to keep the spirit of the AIML alive. It is evident from the fact that the first president of the IUML, Muhammad Ismail, actively participated in the partition movement of the country and was an ardent supporter of the creation of Pakistan. Besides, Ismail, who on one hand claimed that the IUML was a secular outfit, supported the retention of Sharia law for Indian Muslims in the Constituent Assembly after independence. Not just that, Ismail went to bargain with the Congress to “recognise the League as the sole representative of Muslims” on the lines of Jinnah’s claim that AIML was the sole representative of the Muslims in undivided India.

The IUML is known for flaring up communal incidents in the state of Kerala. As per the report of the Justice Thomas P Joseph Commission, which was set up to investigate the 2003 Marad massacre in Kerala, the IUML was found to be involved in the planning as well as the execution of the brutal violence. The report had declared the massacre as “a clear communal conspiracy, with Muslim fundamentalist and terrorist organisations involved”. In 2017, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR in connection with the Marad massacre, naming IUML leaders P.P. Moideen Koya and Moyeen Haji as accused of funding, conspiring, and executing the riots.