Kozhikode: The Congress party and the Muslim League raised a huge storm after CPI(M) Kozhikode district Secretary, P. Mohanan, said that Muslim fundamentalists support and encourage Maoists in the state.
His statement was also condemned by the central leadership of the CPI(M) and also CPI. Following the backlash from his own party for speaking against Muslim fundamentalism, Mohanan came out with an explanation. He clarified that the Muslim fundamentalists he referred to were NDF and Popular Front of India.
The BJP, however, came out in support of the CPI(M) leader reminding that the BJP has been saying the same thing for a long time.
Recently, two CPI(M) members, belonging to the Minority community, were arrested and charged under UAPA for carrying leaflets supporting Maoism. The Kozhikode local leadership had reported that Muslim fundamental organizations are in touch with Maoists.
Kozhikode District Committee member and senior CPI(M) leader K. T. Kunjikannan had earlier released a book, which touches upon the nexus between extreme Islam and Maoism. He quotes a BBC report in which the Maoist leader says that they support Islam in its fight against the United States.
Interestingly, the book by Kunjikannan was released by CPI(M) General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury.
P. Mohanan had raised a storm when he spoke in a public meeting on Monday explaining the nexus between Muslim fundamentals and Maoists. He said that Muslim extremists working from Kozhikode are behind the strength of the communist terror organization.
However, his statement was quickly dismissed by Congress and Muslim league and also by CPI and the central leadership of CPI(M).
