The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent of the V.D. Satheesan-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala, is facing questions within sections of the Muslim community over its stand on issues seen as favouring the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
The latest controversy concerns the Chief Secretary’s directive to sing Vande Mataram in full. The IUML’s Education Minister N. Shamsudheen said the directive followed instructions from the Lok Bhavan. The Governor’s office denied issuing any such directive.
The episode has put the IUML in a difficult position. As a key UDF partner, it must support government decisions while addressing concerns among its traditional voters. The dispute over the source of the directive has also put the Education Minister under scrutiny.
The controversy comes amid other developments that have raised questions about the League’s political position. The party has long projected itself as a representative of Muslim interests and a political force against the Sangh Parivar.
Recent decisions have given its critics grounds to question whether that position is changing. These include IUML Ministers taking oath in the name of God rather than Allah, as some predecessors had done; not wearing the traditional fur cap; the reduction of tax on low-alcohol liquor; the party’s handling of the PM SHRI education project; and the Vande Mataram controversy.
The issues are different in nature, but together they have led to questions among some sections of the community about the League’s approach after joining the government.
This is the IUML’s central problem. It must remain a reliable UDF partner while retaining its support among Muslim voters. Any move seen as accepting positions linked to the BJP or Sangh Parivar could weaken its claim to represent the community.
Several Muslim organisations have criticised the League’s approach. Jamaat-e-Islami, which supported the UDF, has questioned whether the Congress and IUML are in control of the government.
The controversy has also given the CPI(M) an opportunity to attack the League among its traditional supporters. Former Minister K.T. Jaleel asked whether the V.D. Satheesan government had become a “V.D. Savarkar government”. He also sarcastically asked whether the government would next order mosques to sing Vande Mataram before the azaan.
For the IUML, the challenge is to prevent separate controversies from becoming a broader perception that it is moving away from positions that have defined its politics.
Published – August 11, 2026 08:30 am IST
