A controversy has arisen in Kerala due to Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS) leader Mustafa Mundupara’s statement supporting the concept of a ‘separate Malabar state’.

Speaking at a protest about the shortage of seats in Malabar schools, he remarked that one could understand if there was a call for a separate Malabar state.

He stated that people from Southern Kerala and Malabar are paying equal taxes and deserve equal facilities.

He spoke at a protest held due to the shortage of Class 11 seats in Malappuram.

Mundupara emphasized that if any region, like southern Kerala and Malabar, demands a separate state due to perceived injustices like unequal facilities despite equal tax contributions, it shouldn’t be criticized. He stressed that Malabar, paying taxes equivalent to southern Kerala, deserves comparable facilities.

He added that labeling it as separatism serves no purpose. He questioned what impact a Malabar state would have on the country.

Meanwhile, the BJP criticized Mustafa Mundupara for his speech, and called out Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan for remaining silent on the issue.

Kerala BJP chief K Surendran wrote on X that those thinking the ban on the Popular Front of India has eliminated extremist elements in Kerala are mistaken. He criticized SYS leader Mustafa Mundupara for advocating Kerala’s division and highlighted the silence of @pinarayivijayan and @vdsatheesan. Surendran pointed out that the Congress and Communist parties in Kerala are compromising national integrity for votes.

He asserted that these political groups are the main barriers to PM @narendramodi Ji’s determined effort to eradicate separatist elements from the country. The BJP will vigorously oppose any attempt to divide Kerala.

Surendran posted the text statement along with a picture of Mustafa Mundupara and his controversial remarks. There have been significant protests across the state by various student organizations due to the shortage of Class 11 seats in Malappuram.

Anyone who believes that the banning of the Popular Front has eradicated extremist forces in Kerala is gravely mistaken. The audacity of SYS leader Mustafa Mundupara in demanding the division of Kerala, coupled with the silence of @pinarayivijayan and @vdsatheesan, starkly… pic.twitter.com/4uiGBGvffh

— K Surendran (@surendranbjp) June 24, 2024

The Malabar region is located in northern Kerala and includes districts such as Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Palakkad, and neighboring areas.

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