Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Kerala Chief Minister Condemns CPI(M) Remarks About Malappuram
CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar allegedly made a hurtful statement about Malappuram at a party meeting.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan condemned the statement and asked Nandakumar and the CPI(M) to apologize.
Satheesan also asked Pinarayi Vijayan and the party’s central leaders to explain their position.
He said Vijayan was at the meeting when the words were spoken and did not object.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the party was criticizing communalism in political parties, not the people of Malappuram.
Several organisations, including the Muslim Youth League, complained to police.
Satheesan warned that people who spread communal hatred could face legal action.
The disagreement is about whether the remarks targeted Malappuram or political influence in the region.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan condemned alleged remarks by CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar describing Malappuram as a “nest of fundamentalists and communalists.”
Satheesan demanded an unconditional apology from Nandakumar and the CPI(M), and asked Pinarayi Vijayan and the party’s central leadership to clarify their position.
Satheesan said Vijayan was present when the remarks were made and argued that the party’s silence suggested tacit endorsement; the CPI(M) has not been shown endorsing that interpretation.
CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the party was criticizing the influence of communalism on political parties such as the Indian Union Muslim League, not Malappuram or its residents.
Police said several organisations, including the Muslim Youth League, had filed complaints over the remarks; Satheesan warned of strict legal action against communal hatred.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan, and Pinarayi Vijayan.
- What
- Satheesan condemned alleged remarks about Malappuram and demanded an apology; Govindan said the party’s criticism concerned communalism’s influence on political parties.
- When
- The remarks were allegedly made on Saturday; Satheesan and Govindan responded on Sunday.
- Where
- At an extended CPI(M) district committee meeting in Malappuram, Kerala.
- Why
- The remarks prompted criticism and complaints; Satheesan said they denigrated Malappuram residents, while Govindan said the party was discussing communalism’s influence on political parties.
Satheesan’s allegations
CPI(M)’s clarification
Whether the remarks targeted Malappuram
Satheesan’s allegations
Satheesan said Nandakumar denigrated the people of Malappuram by describing the district as a place of fundamentalists and communalists.
CPI(M)’s clarification
Govindan said the CPI(M) was not making communal remarks about Malappuram or its residents; it was criticizing communalism’s influence on political parties.
Meaning of the party’s silence
Satheesan’s allegations
Satheesan argued that Vijayan’s presence without an objection or correction suggested tacit endorsement by the CPI(M).
CPI(M)’s clarification
Govindan rejected the claim that the party had made communal remarks about the district and described the party’s criticism as directed at political influence.
Political context
Satheesan’s allegations
Satheesan linked the remarks to what he called a continuing anti-Malappuram strategy and divisive politics.
CPI(M)’s clarification
Govindan said the party’s position was that Jamaat-e-Islami’s influence was pushing members of the Indian Union Muslim League toward communalism.
- Person who made the alleged remarks
- P Nandakumar, a CPI(M) leader and former MLA
- Description attributed to Nandakumar
- Malappuram was allegedly described as a “nest of fundamentalists and communalists”; one report gives the wording as “nest of religious fundamentalists and communalists.”
- Setting
- An extended CPI(M) district committee meeting in Malappuram on Saturday
- Satheesan’s demands
- An unconditional apology from Nandakumar and the CPI(M), and clarification from Pinarayi Vijayan and the party’s central leadership
- CPI(M)’s response
- M V Govindan said the party criticized communalism’s influence on political parties such as the Indian Union Muslim League, not Malappuram itself.
- Police complaints
- Police said several organisations, including the Muslim Youth League, had filed complaints.
- Legal action warning
- Satheesan warned of strict action against those who incite communal hatred.
