Massive rally by Indian Muslims in Kerala to protest Islamophobia
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Protesters were seen chanting slogans and holding banners protesting extremist political ideology.
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Mosque pictured in Kerala, photographed in June 2022. (Reuters)
Muslims in Kerala, India, gathered on Saturday to protest against rising sentiments of Islamophobia and violence toward Muslims which have been fueled by Hindu nationalism.
Hindutva fascism has for many years spearheaded a campaign aimed at demonizing Indian Muslims in the country. The goal of the ideology is to establish a state that is purely Hindu instead of a secular state.
Protesters were seen chanting slogans and holding banners against the fascist Hindu political ideology, according to the reports of multiple media outlets in the country.
As per the reports, the rallies on Saturday were organized by the Kerala Muslim Jama-ath Federation (KMJF) on the occasion of the 40th anniversary in the city of Kollam.
The rallies are intended to address the concerns of Muslim Indians, particularly with regard to growing violence against them.
Demonstrators were heard voicing their rejection of some controversial proposed legislation - such as the National Registration of Citizens (NRC) and Uniform Civil Code, while demanding that Muslims and their rights be protected.
Reports further revealed that the great majority of Muslims remain concerned that the upcoming compilation of the NRC may be utilized to deprive Muslims of Indian citizenship.
Read more: Modi's BJP party defeated in Karnataka Indian state by Congress party
The Uniform Civil Code is a proposed bill in India to formulate and implement laws of citizens that apply to all citizens equally - regardless of their religion or gender.
Among the demonstrators were included key personalities such as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who said the Sangh Parivar (family of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS) is responsible for defaming Kerala's image through false narratives on Muslim Indians.
The Sangh Parivar is used to refer to collective of Hindu nationalist organizations, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
It is backed by the RSS ideology, an Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist volunteer paramilitary organization.
The official further stated that the Sangh Parivar intentionally tries to disrupt religious events by inciting Islamophobic acts, and also praised Kerala for protecting its citizens from such extremist influences.
He also raised to attention that the government of India's intention is not to erase history from the curriculum, but to teach it in accordance with the Sangh Parivar’s extremist ideology.
The protests also come in light of the recent release of a movie, The Kerala Story, which recounts the story of Hindu women who falsely claimed they were forcefully converted to Islam by ISIS.
The movie has been criticized due to its clear message of Islamophobia.
#Shockingvisuals ðŸ˜
— Muneer ul Islam (@muneerul1slam) May 15, 2023
Scuffle breaks out at GMC Jammu hostel,over ‘The Kerala Story’ issue 💔💔:Police#kashmir#kashmiriunderattack pic.twitter.com/rZRYo7I36a
