A controversy has erupted in Kerala following statements by CPI(M)-backed MLA K.T. Jaleel, who remarked that “most people caught for gold smuggling at Kozhikode airport are Muslims.” Jaleel’s comments, made in a televised interview and reiterated on Facebook, have sparked backlash from political opponents, particularly the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which accused him of stereotyping an entire community.
The remarks come amidst ongoing criticism of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who previously linked Malappuram district to gold smuggling and hawala dealings. This has fueled a larger debate about communalism in the state. The CM’s earlier statements regarding Malappuram drew criticism, with opposition leaders accusing him of targeting a specific community under the guise of addressing smuggling concerns.
Jaleel, however, defended his comments, arguing that religious leaders should take a stand against gold smuggling by issuing statements to the community about its ethical implications. He called on IUML leader Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal to issue a fatwa condemning smuggling as anti-national. Jaleel insisted that his statement was not Islamophobic, but rather a call for reform within the community.
The IUML condemned Jaleel’s statements, with General Secretary P.M.A. Salam asserting that the MLA’s remarks portrayed Muslims as criminals. Salam urged Jaleel to apologize to the community.
The controversy also brought to the surface earlier tensions involving Jaleel, who was previously questioned in a gold smuggling case related to diplomatic cargo in 2020. Although no charges were filed against him, the incident continues to shadow his political career.
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The debate over gold smuggling and communal tensions in Kerala continues to be a point of contention, especially as political parties position themselves ahead of upcoming elections. The state government has attempted damage control, but the controversy persists as opposition groups, including the BJP, seize on the issue to criticize the ruling CPI(M).
