'What Will Happen If..': Kerala Leader's Call For 'Separate Malabar State' Sparks Controversy

Comparing Malabar and Southern Kerala, Mustafa Mundupara argued that people in both regions pay the same taxes and therefore should receive the same level of services and facilities.

Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS) leader Mustafa Mundupara has sparked a new controversy in Kerala by advocating for the creation of a "separate Malabar state." Speaking at a protest on Monday regarding the lack of class 11 seats in the Malabar region, Mundupara highlighted the disparity between Southern Kerala and Malabar in terms of facilities and resources.

The controversy comes after demands from student organizations of the Congress Party, the Kerala Students Union (KSU), and the Muslim League, for more class 11 seats in the Malabar region. The Malabar region, comprising the districts of Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod.

Mundupara argued that people in both regions pay the same taxes and therefore should receive the same level of services and facilities. "When we see this injustice between southern Kerala and Malabar, if there is demand from any part that there needs to be a separate Malabar state, we can't blame them," said Mundupara, as per a report on ANI. 

"If the people of Malabar are paying the same taxes as those in southern Kerala, we should receive the same facilities. There is no point in saying it is separatism. What will happen in the country if there is a Malabar state?" he asked.

BJP's Strong Rebuttal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly responded to Mundupara's remarks, condemning any suggestion of dividing Kerala. Kerala BJP chief K. Surendran criticised Mundupara's call, stating that such demands threaten national integrity. 

"Anyone who believes that the banning of the Popular Front has eradicated extremist forces in Kerala is gravely mistaken," said Surendran, as per the report. "The audacity of SYS leader Mustafa Mundupara in demanding the division of Kerala, coupled with the silence of Pinarayi Vijayan and V.D. Satheesan, starkly reveals the harsh truth: The Congress and Communist parties in Kerala are on their knees, shamelessly compromising national integrity for votes," he said.

Surendran further emphasised the BJP's commitment to fighting any move to divide Kerala. "These political entities are the biggest obstacles to PM Narendra Modi Ji's unwavering mission to eliminate separatist forces from our nation. The BJP will fight tooth and nail against any move to divide Kerala," he added.