A protest march organised by Solidarity Youth Movement and the Students Islamic Organisation of India, the proxy organisations of Jamaat-e-Islami, has triggered widespread controversy after banners featuring prominent figures linked to ultra-radical Islamic ideology were prominently displayed. The protest held near the high-security Karipur International Airport on 9 April, was aimed at opposing the Waqf Act. However, the presence of placards bearing images of Islamist ideologues such as Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.
Hassan al-Banna, founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Sayyid Qutb, whose writings laid the ideological foundation for modern Islamic extremism, were featured as icons in the rally. Al-Banna’s interpretation of Islamic teachings has been widely credited with inspiring a range of Islamist movements, some of which have adopted extremist tactics. Sayyid Qutb, executed in Egypt for his alleged role in a plot to assassinate President Gamal Abdel Nasser, has been cited as a key influence on figures such as Osama bin Laden and groups like ISIS, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Boko Haram.
The protestors also carried images of Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin and Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by countries including the United States, Israel, and the European Union, has been accused of numerous attacks targeting civilians.
Jamaat-e-Islami has long been criticised for allegedly promoting the ideological framework of al-Banna and Qutb within the Indian subcontinent, though it has typically avoided overt displays of such associations in public events. Many view the recent protest as a significant departure, suggesting that the organization is beginning to shed its political restraint under the pretext of protesting against the Waqf Act amendments.
Security experts have raised concerns over the venue of the protest, given its proximity to an international airport. Displaying symbols of globally designated terrorist groups and figures in such a sensitive zone could have serious implications, they warn.
This is not the first time Kerala has witnessed pro-Islamic terrorist activism. Over the years, various organizations including Jamaat-e-Islami, Popular Front of India (now banned), and student outfits have organized solidarity events for Hamas terrorists. In some instances, these meetings have sparked debate due to the glorification of militant resistance figures and slogans echoing radical sentiments. In 2021, during the Israel-Hamas conflict, several rallies across Kerala were held expressing support for Hamas, some of which featured inflammatory speeches and controversial visuals.
