The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M), and the United Democratic Front (UDF), comprising the Indian National Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), have often been vocal on various national and international issues, especially those concerning Muslims. Whether it’s the conversion of the Hagia Sophia in Turkey, Gujrat riots, the crisis faced by Hamas in Gaza, or the turmoil in Manipur, these so-called secular parties have never hesitated to express their stance, hold press conferences, and rally public support. However, when it comes to recent developments closer to home, specifically, the Waqf land terror Hindu-Christian fisherfolks in Munambam in Kerala and the reported attacks on Hindus during the Waqf protests in West Bengal and their subsequent displacement, their silence is both deafening and deeply unsettling.
Mirroring Politics and Demography – Kerala and Bengal
Bengal and Kerala share several similarities, particularly in the realm of politics and demography. Both states have witnessed a strong presence of Communist parties once dominant in Bengal and currently sharing power in Kerala. The Indian National Congress also has a parallel political history in both regions. Further, Kerala has around 54 per cent Hindus, 27 per cent Muslims, and 18 per cent Christians. West Bengal has approximately 70 per cent Hindus and 27 per cent Muslims, with Christians and others making up a small minority.
Another recent connection between the two states has emerged through the protests against the Waqf Act. In Kerala’s Malappuram district, a stronghold of the Indian Union Muslim League, demonstrators attempted to blockade the Karipur International Airport. Protesters were seen publicly displaying posters of Islamist figures such as Hassan al-Banna, Sayyid Qutb, and even Hamas terrorists, which raised serious concerns. Around the same time, troubling reports began surfacing from West Bengal. In Murshidabad, Hindu communities reportedly faced targeted violence amid the ongoing protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several Hindu homes and shops were attacked, leading many families to flee to safer areas within the state. These developments have highlighted deepening communal tensions and raised alarm over the growing unrest in both regions. Murshidabad and Malappuram share some similarity. Malappuram District in Kerala has a Muslim majority with around 70 per cent Muslims, 27 per cent Hindus, and about 2 per cent Christians. Murshidabad, West Bengal also has a Muslim majority with approximately 67 per cent Muslims, 32 per cent Hindus, and less than 1 per cent others. Both districts are among the highest Muslim-populated areas in their respective states.
Pseudo Secularism and Vote Bank Politics
While Kerala’s so-called secular parties often emphasize ideals of tolerance and coexistence, their silence on communal tensions, particularly the concerns of Hindus in Murshidabad and marginalized Hindu- Christian-Muslims in Munambam raises serious questions about their sincerity. Is this silence a calculated political strategy to avoid upsetting certain vote banks, or is it a case of selective activism?. If human rights and justice are truly universal values, as parties like the CPI(M), Congress, and IUML frequently claim, then all victims of violence regardless of their religious background deserve equal concern and advocacy. Yet, this consistency appears to be lacking.
In recent years, many in Kerala have come to believe that these political parties offer tacit support or at least display indifference towards the aggressive stance of certain extremist elements. Whether it’s the controversial Waqf Board land encroachment in Munambam, attacks on other communities as seen in Bengal, or their vocal stances on issues like Hagia Sophia and Palestine, a pattern seems to emerge. These actions suggest that ideological consistency often takes a backseat to political convenience, and that communal sensitivities are addressed selectively rather than universally.
The situation in Munambam, Kerala, only adds to the discomfort. Fisherfolk, including many from marginalised Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, have been raising concerns over illegal encroachments, loss of livelihood, and perceived discrimination. The issue has been gaining traction, with local leaders and media bringing it to light but once again, these parties remains curiously silent. This is particularly surprising given the party’s consistent stand on minority rights and social justice. Why the double standard?. When violence is committed against Muslims, the CPI(M), Congress and IUML quick to condemn it. But when the victims are from the Hindu community especially in cases that involve sensitive religious or communal overtones the party’s seem to retreat into silence. Such selective outrage damages the credibility of any political organization that claims to stand for justice, equality, and secular values.
If the parties in Kerala can raise its voice for Muslims in Palestine and Turkey, then it surely can and must speak up for Hindus in Bengal and the fisherfolk Hindu-Christian-Muslims in Munambam. Silence in the face of such events not only undermines the party’s own stated values, but also fuels division and mistrust among communities that desperately need unity and understanding today.
