In a controversial segment aired on Media One Channel, Dawood, a journalist affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala, launched a vitriolic attack on Congress MP Shashi Tharoor for his role in a national outreach campaign aimed at exposing Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism and countering global misinformation about Operation Sindoor. The program, Out of Focus, known for amplifying radical Islamist and anti-hindu narratives, featured Dawood’s sharp criticism of Tharoor, branding him a “stupid,” “epileptic nationalist,” and even a “global cruel citizen”.
Dawood’s remarks came in reaction to Tharoor’s participation in the international campaign despite the Congress party’s reservations. Tharoor had publicly stated that “national interest was paramount,” justifying his defiance of party orders which provoked Dawood. The criticism escalated when Dawood ridiculed Tharoor’s reference to Kerala’s Rs 10 crore aid to Turkey after the 2023 earthquake. Dawood dismissed this stance by saying “I think he is a stupid”. He further alleged that Tharoor, once seen as a “global citizen” was now “global cruel citizen”, “ultra nationalist” and an “epileptic nationalist.” who on the verge of joining BJP.
Jamaat Islami, Islamist Divisive Outfit, backing extremists like Dawood
Dawood is the Managing Editor of Media One channel, which is affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, an extremist Islamic outfit. Previously, in March 2020, MediaOne was suspended for 48 hours over its coverage of the Delhi riots, which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting deemed biased and promoting communal attitudes.
Even though Jamaat-e-Islami presents itself as a socially active organisation, its actions often betray a lack of genuine commitment to the well-being of Indian society. At a time when the nation was united in grief and resolve following the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Hindus, Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala chose to exploit the crisis by staging a divisive protest in Ernakulam against Waqf Amendment act. Shockingly, the protest coincided with the funeral of Ramachandran, a Kerala native who was among the victims, highlighting the group’s insensitivity and disregard for national sentiment. Instead of standing in solidarity with the country, Jamaat-e-Islami used the moment of tragedy to fuel unrest and promote its agenda, sending a disturbing message of disunity when the nation needed to come together.
They do not even hesitate to openly glorify foreign terrorist figures in their protests, raising serious concerns about their true intentions. For instance, in a previous protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill, they organised a blockade of Karipur Airport. The protest was led by the Solidarity Youth Movement and the Students Islamic Organisation of India, both considered proxy organisations of Jamaat-e-Islami. During this march, participants carried images of Hassan al-Banna (founder of the Muslim Brotherhood), Sayyid Qutb (ideological architect of modern jihadism and a major influence on groups such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Boko Haram), Ahmed Yassin (founder of Hamas), and Yahya Sinwar (senior Hamas leader). The open display of such figures, many of whom are associated with globally designated terrorist organisations, exposes the ideological leanings of these groups and casts doubt on their claim of working for the public good.
MediaOne channel consistently amplifies caste narratives that deepen divisions within Hindu society in Kerala, while remaining notably silent on caste discrimination and untouchability within the Muslim community. In reality, the Muslim community in Kerala comprises several distinct caste-like groups, including Sayyids (Thangals), Arabis (Sheikhs/Maqdooms), Mappilas, Ossans, Dekkini/Dakhnis, Pusalans, Rowthers, and Cheruman Muslims. This selective focus reveals a biased agenda aimed more at fuelling polarisation than fostering genuine social reform.
