NB Explains: Hamas Terrorist Processions in Kerala: Why CPI-M is Silent on their Glorification?
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In a shocking development, images of terrorist leaders of Hamas along with banners with the titles ‘Tharavadis, Thekkebhagam’ (Ancestral, Southside) were exhibited during annual Urus celebrations of a mosque in Thrithala, Palakkad. The pictures of Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah, key figures of the terrorist group Hamas, were prominently featured in the elephant procession, with the images paraded atop three elephants.
During the procession, which was attended by more than 3,000 people, young children were seen holding posters of Sinwar and Haniyeh, while the crowd cheered on - raising serious concerns about the glorification of terrorists during a religious celebration. However, it deepened further with the participation of political figures, including Minister MB Rajesh and Congress leader VT Balram. It sparks grave questions about the motive behind showcasing the leaders of a globally designated terrorist organization at a public religious gathering.
Kerala has recently witnessed a series of incidents highlighting growing support for Hamas terrorism, especially since the escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict. At least eight public events have surfaced, seemingly idolizing the actions of the terrorist organization under the pretext of solidarity with Palestine. In 2024, the Kerala University youth festival faced backlash for using the term “Intifada,” which has been associated with the Palestine-Israel conflict and Hamas. The most infamous took place in October 2023, a rally in Malappuram, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami youth wing, Solidarity Youth Movement, featured Khaled Mashal, a former leader of Hamas, who virtually addressed the gathering due to visa issues. Beyond this, events such as “Mayyath Niskaram” (funeral prayers) for Yahya Sinwar, tribute marches, and rallies in honour of Hamas leaders—even amid heavy landslides and rainfall—these developments point to an alarming trend taking shape in the state. Apart from this, there have been instances in the state where people have publicly expressed support for other notorious terrorists, including Osama Bin Laden.
Despite these repeated incidents, has the CPI-M-led government, which prides itself on its secular stance, taken any concrete action against such activities or the organizations involved? The answer remains no. However, the same government, which was quick to oppose the telecast of The Kerala Story on Doordarshan—citing concerns over communal polarization—has remained conspicuously silent on the glorification of terrorists by sections of Kerala's youth. This selective approach calls for serious questions about the CPI-M’s commitment to true secularism and its reluctance to address radical influences taking root in the state.
The worshiping of terrorists on elephants in a procession can only take place when like-minded people or “a certain community” come together in a region and they feel it is okay for them to show support for mass murderers with no administration taking action against such individuals. Moreover, these incidents lead to becoming the region of a breeding ground for recruitment of individuals in terrorist organisation like ISIS and Al-Qaeda and carry out anti-India activities which are against national interests
The public display of terrorists' images on elephants in a grand procession can only occur when a group of like-minded individuals, or a specific community, feels free enough to openly express support for mass murderers, without fear of administrative action. The lack of consequences for such acts not only normalizes extremist sympathies but also sets a dangerous precedent for future radicalization. Moreover, these repeated incidents create an environment where extremist ideologies can thrive, turning the region into a potential breeding ground for the recruitment of individuals into terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda. This poses a severe threat to national security, as it carries out anti-India activities that undermine the country’s sovereignty and long-term stability.
Radical organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI), along with its student wing, the Campus Front of India (SFI) and its political wing, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), have played a significant role in nurturing and influencing individuals toward extremism. These groups have actively encouraged and indoctrinated youth, luring them into joining terrorist organizations. The National Investigation Agency has repeatedly accused the PFI of recruiting young individuals into terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and ISIS, with the broader aim of establishing Islamic rule in India. A 2022 report by Open Magazine highlighted that more than 1,400 criminal cases had been registered against PFI cadres under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, and various other sections related to murder and assault. The depth of radicalization within the PFI ranks is evident from multiple incidents, including a shocking case on May 21, 2022, when a 10-year-old child, the son of a PFI member, was seen raising hateful slogans at a rally in Kerala. This disturbing event underscores how deeply intolerance is ingrained within the organization’s ideology, starting from a young age.
In response to these alarming incidents, the central government imposed a ban on the PFI, citing its involvement in serious offences such as terrorism, terror financing, targeted killings, and disrupting public order. However, the question remains—what about the state government? The CPI-M-led government, which claims to uphold secular values, appears to be turning a blind eye to radical elements, effectively enabling extremism under the pretense of resistance or human rights advocacy. This blatant double standard is evident in its silence on rising radicalism, even as it actively opposes measures aimed at curbing the spread of extremist ideologies in the state.
This raises critical questions—is Kerala becoming a hub for terror sympathizers and a potential recruitment ground for extremist organizations? Why is the CPI-M-led "secular" government choosing to remain silent instead of taking decisive action against these activities?
During the procession, which was attended by more than 3,000 people, young children were seen holding posters of Sinwar and Haniyeh, while the crowd cheered on - raising serious concerns about the glorification of terrorists during a religious celebration. However, it deepened further with the participation of political figures, including Minister MB Rajesh and Congress leader VT Balram. It sparks grave questions about the motive behind showcasing the leaders of a globally designated terrorist organization at a public religious gathering.
CPI-M: Secular Enough to Condemn the Glorification of Terrorists?
Kerala has recently witnessed a series of incidents highlighting growing support for Hamas terrorism, especially since the escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict. At least eight public events have surfaced, seemingly idolizing the actions of the terrorist organization under the pretext of solidarity with Palestine. In 2024, the Kerala University youth festival faced backlash for using the term “Intifada,” which has been associated with the Palestine-Israel conflict and Hamas. The most infamous took place in October 2023, a rally in Malappuram, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami youth wing, Solidarity Youth Movement, featured Khaled Mashal, a former leader of Hamas, who virtually addressed the gathering due to visa issues. Beyond this, events such as “Mayyath Niskaram” (funeral prayers) for Yahya Sinwar, tribute marches, and rallies in honour of Hamas leaders—even amid heavy landslides and rainfall—these developments point to an alarming trend taking shape in the state. Apart from this, there have been instances in the state where people have publicly expressed support for other notorious terrorists, including Osama Bin Laden.
Despite these repeated incidents, has the CPI-M-led government, which prides itself on its secular stance, taken any concrete action against such activities or the organizations involved? The answer remains no. However, the same government, which was quick to oppose the telecast of The Kerala Story on Doordarshan—citing concerns over communal polarization—has remained conspicuously silent on the glorification of terrorists by sections of Kerala's youth. This selective approach calls for serious questions about the CPI-M’s commitment to true secularism and its reluctance to address radical influences taking root in the state.
Is Kerala becoming home for terrorists?
The worshiping of terrorists on elephants in a procession can only take place when like-minded people or “a certain community” come together in a region and they feel it is okay for them to show support for mass murderers with no administration taking action against such individuals. Moreover, these incidents lead to becoming the region of a breeding ground for recruitment of individuals in terrorist organisation like ISIS and Al-Qaeda and carry out anti-India activities which are against national interests
The public display of terrorists' images on elephants in a grand procession can only occur when a group of like-minded individuals, or a specific community, feels free enough to openly express support for mass murderers, without fear of administrative action. The lack of consequences for such acts not only normalizes extremist sympathies but also sets a dangerous precedent for future radicalization. Moreover, these repeated incidents create an environment where extremist ideologies can thrive, turning the region into a potential breeding ground for the recruitment of individuals into terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda. This poses a severe threat to national security, as it carries out anti-India activities that undermine the country’s sovereignty and long-term stability.
Role of PFI
Radical organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI), along with its student wing, the Campus Front of India (SFI) and its political wing, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), have played a significant role in nurturing and influencing individuals toward extremism. These groups have actively encouraged and indoctrinated youth, luring them into joining terrorist organizations. The National Investigation Agency has repeatedly accused the PFI of recruiting young individuals into terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and ISIS, with the broader aim of establishing Islamic rule in India. A 2022 report by Open Magazine highlighted that more than 1,400 criminal cases had been registered against PFI cadres under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, and various other sections related to murder and assault. The depth of radicalization within the PFI ranks is evident from multiple incidents, including a shocking case on May 21, 2022, when a 10-year-old child, the son of a PFI member, was seen raising hateful slogans at a rally in Kerala. This disturbing event underscores how deeply intolerance is ingrained within the organization’s ideology, starting from a young age.
In response to these alarming incidents, the central government imposed a ban on the PFI, citing its involvement in serious offences such as terrorism, terror financing, targeted killings, and disrupting public order. However, the question remains—what about the state government? The CPI-M-led government, which claims to uphold secular values, appears to be turning a blind eye to radical elements, effectively enabling extremism under the pretense of resistance or human rights advocacy. This blatant double standard is evident in its silence on rising radicalism, even as it actively opposes measures aimed at curbing the spread of extremist ideologies in the state.
This raises critical questions—is Kerala becoming a hub for terror sympathizers and a potential recruitment ground for extremist organizations? Why is the CPI-M-led "secular" government choosing to remain silent instead of taking decisive action against these activities?