‘Dog-whistle politics’: Kerala CM Satheesan slams CPM over Malappuram remarks

Satheesan demanded that Vijayan and the CPI(M) central leadership break their silence and clarify their position on the remarks

NEW DELHI: Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan has strongly condemned CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar’s alleged remarks describing Malappuram district as a “nest of fundamentalists and communalists”, accusing the CPI(M) of tacitly endorsing communal rhetoric.In a post on X, Satheesan said the remarks were particularly concerning as they were made in the presence of CPI(M) leader and former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, without any objection from him. “Strongly condemn the communal slurs made by CPI(M) leader P. Nandakumar denigrating the people of Malappuram as fundamentalists,” Satheesan wrote.

“That this unacceptable rhetoric was delivered in the presence of Pinarayi Vijayan(Leader of the Opposition) without a single word of objection or correction clearly exposes the CPI(M)’s tacit endorsement,” he said.

Satheesan alleged that the remarks were part of a broader pattern of statements targeting Malappuram and specific communities.“This divisive stance is a direct continuation of the anti-Malappuram statements earlier made by Pinarayi Vijayan,” Satheesan said. He further accused the CPI(M) of using “dog-whistle politics” despite repeated electoral setbacks, and alleged that its approach mirrored the “polarizing playbook of the Sangh Parivar”.

Satheesan demanded that Vijayan and the CPI(M) central leadership break their silence and clarify their position on the remarks. He also called for an unconditional apology from both the party and Nandakumar.“Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) central leadership must break their silence and clarify their stance to the public. Both the CPI(M) and P. Nandakumar must tender an unconditional apology to the people of Keralam,” he wrote.

The controversy erupted after Nandakumar allegedly made the remarks while delivering the welcome address at an extended CPI(M) district committee meeting in Malappuram on Saturday. Vijayan was among the senior party leaders present at the meeting.Muslim Youth League workers subsequently filed police complaints against Nandakumar at the Ponnani police station and before the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police. Police said several other organisations had also lodged complaints and that a case would be registered after examining the video footage.Meanwhile, Thavanur MLA VS Joy defended Malappuram in a Facebook post, saying, “Malappuram is not a nest. It is a palace. A palace of jewels stitched together by secular minds.”