Overview

• Vellappally Natesan defended his comments as a fight for Ezhava social justice, pledging to continue speaking even in the face of threats and effigy burnings.
• Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League have urged the Left Democratic Front government to take legal and administrative action against Natesan for alleged hate speeches.
• The CPI(M) state secretariat publicly repudiated his remarks and emphasized the government’s commitment to uphold secularism and prevent communal divisions.
• Natesan’s speeches allege that Muslim organisations in Malappuram dictate state policies on school timings, holiday schedules and cultural activities.
• The dispute underscores growing anxiety over Malappuram’s expanded assembly representation and the role of vote-bank strategies in Kerala politics ahead of the 2026 polls.