Article 5
While going through past Facebook posts, some people had remarked that ‘EMS was a person who followed the ideas of Sri Narayana Guru,’ is likely to be misinterpreted by ordinary readers. The complaint from a section of people is regarding my acceptance of the Chief Minister’s stance on the contemporary relevance of Gurudeva’s ideas. I request them to read the articles from one to four carefully, starting from the very beginning, to fully understand the context.
The fact that EMS did not align with Sri Narayana Guru or the Sanatana Dharma he represented has been clearly indicated in the previous articles in such a way that anyone can understand. EMS also attempted to diminish the greatness of Guru Dev. However, the contradictions I wish to point out here are as follows.
1. EMS acknowledged Gurudeva’s connection to Sanatana Dharma (‘Perfect Hindu,’ ‘Vedanti,’ ‘Promotor of the Vedic teachings,’ ‘Interpreter of Shankaracharya’s Philosophy’).
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But today’s Marxist party leaders argue that Gurudeva was not a follower of Hindu Dharma.
2. EMS had a clear understanding of the fact that Sri Narayana Guru opposed not Sanatana Dharma itself, but the entrenched caste-based cultural oppression by the upper castes. (‘It was on the basis of the general principles of Hindu Dharma and Vedantic philosophy that Sri Narayana Guru questioned conservatism’ – EMS)
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Today’s party leaders, including the Chief Minister, are spreading the notion that Gurudeva ‘denied and challenged Sanatana Dharma.’ For them, even the term ‘Sanatana Dharma’ itself is considered obscene.
Let’s get to the point. Two approaches regarding Sri Narayana Guru within the CPI(M) over the past 30-40 years are highlighted here. (One) EMS’s perspective, (Two) the viewpoint of today’s party leaders. Which of these positions is the truth? Everyone will agree that it is the one written by EMS! This is a fact that becomes clear to anyone who examines Gurudeva’s works and life. It aligns completely with the truth. It is evident that the modern party leaders’ stance is based on a lack of understanding of the reality. Otherwise, we must conclude that they are deliberately spreading falsehoods.
However, this does not imply that all of EMS’s observations about Sri Narayana Guru are agreeable. Due to his antagonism towards Hindu Dharma and spirituality, EMS made intentional or unintentional ‘philosophical attempts’ to distort and limit Gurudeva’s teachings. The Kerala Chief Minister has rejected these distortions put forth by EMS. If this rejection is genuine, it is certainly commendable.
The viewpoint that Gurudeva has no relevance today, the portrayal of him as merely a community spokesperson, his approach towards the Sivagiri pilgrimage, and the disregard for the significance of the Vaikom Satyagraha—these are positions the Chief Minister disagrees with. On these matters, I agree with Shri Pinarayi Vijayan.
EMS’ “Sreenarayanan”!
1. Sree Narayana Guru and his teachings have no contemporary relevance – EMS
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‘ Sree NarayanaGuru and his teachings are relevant, Gurudeva is guiding Kerala’ – Pinarayi Vijayan
“Sreenarayanan is the phenomenal figure who played a crucial role in the creation of modern Kerala. However, I cannot agree with the assertion that his messages are still relevant and that Sreenarayanan is guiding Kerala’s future growth.” – EMS
EMS Sampoorna Krithikal – Volume 94, Page 36 (For evidence, refer to the images)
In many of his articles, EMS refers to Gurudeva as ‘Sreenarayanan.’
2. EMS rejected the invitation to inaugurate the Sivagiri pilgrimage gathering in 1995.
Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the gathering in 2025. EMS’s absence from the inauguration was not due to any inconveniences, but was a deliberate decision. In an article published on January 15, 1995, in the Deshabhimani weekly, he explains this.
“As usual, this year the Sivagiri pilgrimage was celebrated on a large scale. The organizers approached me to inaugurate the event. I felt it would be better not to accept that invitation.”
These are the references from the article ‘Sri Narayana Sandesham: Moonu Mukhangal’ in EMS Sampoorna Kritikal, Volume 94, Page 34.
3. EMS stated that participating in the Sivagiri pilgrimage was imprudent.
‘It would be imprudent for someone like me to appear before the public who are organizers or spokespersons of the Sri Narayana movement and its pilgrimage programs.’
EMS’s Sampoorna Kritikal, Volume 94, Page 38.”
4. Not just at Sivagiri, but also earlier, when invited to the Aruvippuram Shivlinga Pratishta Shatabdi celebrations in 1988, EMS declined to attend. He explained, ‘If I participate, it would be considered that I agree with the Guru’s Pratishtha. Since I do not agree with that, I am refusing.’
5. “Sreenarayana’s thoughts have a regressive nature!” – EMS
While the Aruvippuram Pratishta Shatabdi celebrations were taking place, on February 15, 1988, in an article, EMS observed that Sreenarayana’s thoughts had a “regressive nature.
Sivagiri and Aruvippuram are Haram!, Conversion centers are Halal!!
However, the same EMS, after becoming the Chief Minister of Kerala in 1957, visited the infamous Islamic conversion center, ‘Maunathul Islam Sabha’ in Ponnani. This institution was responsible for converting Hindus, who were forcibly made to join Islam during the Mappila (Moplah) riots. The expressions ‘go to Ponnani and perform Sunnath, wear a skullcap’ are common in Kerala, and all of them are associated with this institution. Through this visit, EMS conveyed the message that the party and the government endorsed Islamic religious conversions.
Remember, EMS was someone who hesitated to attend both Sivagiri and Aruvippuram, claiming that attending those events would be imprudent!
When EMS was invited to the Aruvippuram and Sivagiri conferences, he was not the Chief Minister. Yet, he still considered it “unwise for individuals like him to participate”. This can be justified as a philosophical stance. However, as the Chief Minister of Kerala, he saw no impropriety or lack of wisdom in visiting a religious conversion center that converts individuals from other religions to Islam. In the visitor’s log at the center, EMS wrote, ‘We are not opposed to voluntary religious conversions.’ He also advised, ‘Ensure your activities remain free from violence and conflict,’ and did not forget to add, ‘I hope your institution continues to grow and thrive.!’
When EMS was invited to the Aruvippuram and Sivagiri conferences, he was not the Chief Minister. Yet, he still considered it “unwise for individuals like him to participate”. This can be justified as a philosophical stance. However, as the Chief Minister of Kerala, he saw no impropriety or lack of wisdom in visiting a religious conversion center that converts individuals from other religions to Islam. In the visitor’s log at the center, EMS wrote, ‘We are not opposed to voluntary religious conversions.’ He also advised, ‘Ensure your activities remain free from violence and conflict,’ and did not forget to add, ‘I hope your institution continues to grow and thrive.!’
Recently, this incident is also mentioned in P. Jayarajan’s Malayalam book Kerala Muslim Rashtreeyam: Rashtreeya Islam (Kerala Muslim Politics: Political Islam) (Page 264).
6. In the book Indian Swantantrya Samara Charithram (Indian Freedom Struggle History), EMS criticizes the concept of God as presented by Hindu spiritual leaders, including Sri Narayana Guru, citing Marx’s references.
“Man, who should be the master of nature, has fallen so low that he worships, on his knees, Hanuman, who is a monkey, and Shabala, who is a cow. This fact is clearly evident, though we often choose to forget it “
This mockery is found in the sections discussing spiritual leaders, including Sri Narayana Guru. The comment is made under the images of deities like Ganesha and Hanuman. It is also worth noting that Gurudeva wrote a work called Vinayakashtakam, praising Ganesha. (See Screen shot,However, this image is absent in the newer editions of this book).
The ‘Ganapati Myth Controversy’ created by young leaders like Shamseer was nothing more than a repetition of the Hindu criticism by philosophical leaders! However, the public needs to recognize the self-deception, hypocrisy, contradictions, and the specific interests these leaders have in pleasing certain groups. All religious concepts in Islam are considered scientific and authoritative by these ‘atheists and materialists!’
Some political party leaders hold the view that terms and concepts such as the eradication of superstitions, denial of rituals, women’s protection, equal justice, equality, freedom, fraternity, inclusivity, secularism, tolerance, communalism, progress, reform, and renaissance are relevant only in the context of Hindu Dharma. They believe and behave that none of this applies to other religious communities! Mockery and insults, both then and now, have only been directed towards Hindu religious symbols, Hindu spiritual leaders, Sanatana Dharma, and Hindus!
When all state governments contributed to the construction of the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, the only Chief Minister to declare, ‘My government will not give a single penny for this regressive project’ was E.M.S. However, pay attention to his stance towards other religions — particularly Islam.
Without the Collector’s permission, E.M.S. gave the Cabinet’s approval in 1957 to construct and repair Muslim mosques and Madrasas anywhere. According to the prevailing law at the time, this was not permitted.
However, both the government and the CPI(M) took a strong stance against the reconstruction of the historic Thalimahedeva temple, which was destroyed during Tipu Sultan’s attack. Party leaders were even ready to insult K. Kelappaji, who took the initiative for this cause, using derogatory language. The derogatory slogan raised against the re-consecration was: ‘Kelappa, the person who applied sandalwood to the stone on which the dogs urinated!’ However, it was E.M.S. who laid the foundation stone for the Muslim mosque at Pulamanthole, which is the entry point to Malappuram district from Palakkad.
The ‘Malappuram Nercha,’ which fueled the notorious Mappila Rebellions in Malabar, had been banned by the British. Despite protests from progressive Muslims, E.M.S.’s government lifted the ban. Even though some Muslim leaders, who sought peace in the region, warned about the future implications of this, the state government ignored them. These celebrations have been evaluated as inciting Jihad and filled with superstitions. The celebrations were organized in honor of those who were deemed ‘Martyrs in the fight against Kafirs.’ These commemorative events strengthened Islamic extremism. Social critics, such as Hamid Chendamangaloor, have pointed out this issue as well.
The Communist parties were always willing to go to any extent to win over Muslims. The only political party that ideologically supported the League’s demand for Pakistan was the undivided Communist Party. Even after the party split, both factions competed to gain Muslim support. There were extensive efforts to distort history in an attempt to appease Muslims.
The approach of whitewashing Islamic attacks and Muslim invaders and aggressors continues to this day. The looting, massacres, destruction of temples, forced conversions, and enslavement of women and children, carried out in Malabar by Muslim Sultans like Hyder and Tipu were all covered up for this purpose.
The approach of whitewashing Islamic attacks and Muslim invaders and aggressors continues to this day. The looting, massacres, destruction of temples, forced conversions, and enslavement of women and children, carried out in Malabar by Muslim Sultans like Hyder and Tipu were all covered up for this purpose.
Another example is the portrayal of the Mappila Rebellion as a farmers’ revolt. Despite the fact that Hitchcock, who strongly opposed the 1921 Mappila Rebellion, played a key role in saving the state and the non-Muslim population, albeit late, the Communist Party organized protests to demolish his memorial. In 1967, during the EMS government, when E.K. Imbichi Bava was the Transport Minister, the memorial was dismantled, and the site was converted into a KSRTC waiting center. Now, institutions are being named after the Mappila aggressors, and efforts are underway to build memorials and museums in their honor.
There are numerous instances of Islam-oriented policies that can be pointed to under EMS’s leadership. These include the implementation of religious reservations for Muslims in educational admissions, providing breaks for Friday prayers in schools, offering benefits to madrasas and Muslim educational institutions, Haj subsidies, and the introduction of curriculum incorporating Islamic history and culture – all of these measures were taken during EMS’s administration.
EMS was the one who legitimized and brought to power the Muslim League, which openly advocated for Pakistan, raising slogans like “Pattanaku kathi vaangi kuthi vaangum Pakistan” (We will buy thousands of swords and stab people to gain Pakistan) and “Chirichu nedi Pakistan, poruthi nedum Hindusthan.” (Pakistan was won with a smile, Hindustan will be won with fight) He further fulfilled the “Mappilastan” dream by integrating the Islam-majority regions of the undivided Muslim League into the 1969 Malappuram district formation. These measures were carried out by none other than him. These overt actions of religious favoritism were continued by successive coalitions that governed Kerala.
In 1946, the speech of League leader K.M. Seethi Sahib at Kottappadi in Malappuram, where he was strongly advocating for Pakistan, is mentioned by C.P.M. leader Paloli Mohammed Kutty, who later extended his best wishes to P. Jayarajan’s book. Even then, the League’s ideological campaigns and organizational activities were centered around mosques. He recalls, “Despite the League’s notorious communal and separatist positions, it was they who gave the League a ministerial position between 1967 and 1969, thereby helping the League secure a foothold in Kerala’s politics, a position the Congress had once refused to grant”.
Moreover, the Chairman of the Paloli Commission points out that they are behind the boast that “no one can govern in Kerala without the Muslim League”. He evaluates the advantages of the Muslim League alliance. And what is this advantage, you ask? The accusation that ‘Communists are atheists’ has conveniently been discarded, hasn’t it? However, the party leaders are primarily concerned with changing the ‘misconception’ about the Muslims. That is where the real issue lies.”
The left-wing’s efforts to appease Muslims are extensively discussed by P. Jayarajan in his book Kerala Muslim Rashtreeyam: Rashtreeya Islam (Kerala Muslim Politics: Political Islam) (pages 122, 123, 124, 125, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 189). This is how those who don’t compromise on common sense describe religious discrimination, religious appeasement, vote bank politics, and double standards. Such political practices contribute to the growth of helplessness, insecurity, religious intolerance, and communalism among the public. The partition of India itself can be seen as a direct consequence of such blind religious appeasement policies.
There is no need to change the "misconceptions" of Hindus!
The Hindu community following Sanatana Dharma, as promoted by spiritual leaders like Sri Narayana Guru, forms the base of the Communist Party. Yet, despite this majority, some leaders continue to undermine and insult both Gurudeva and the Sanatana Dharma he followed and promoted. The most appalling behavior is displayed by party secretary M.V. Govindan, who insults advocates of Sanatana Dharma and even Hindu women in the harshest possible manner. These actions are not directed at any Hindu organizations per se, but at the very core of Sanatana Dharma itself.
In a country and state predominantly inhabited by Hindus, it is nothing short of “astonishing” that the leader of the party leading the government continues to make such statements. With local self-government elections and legislative assembly elections approaching, even in the party’s strongholds, there is a noticeable erosion of votes. Yet, the tragedy of Kerala is that there is no one within the party advising this leader to put an end to this blatant Muslim appeasement, Hindu discrimination, and persisting insults. Even the experiences surrounding the Sabarimala case have not served as a lesson for them. Why is there no interest in dispelling the allegations of “religious intolerance” here?
However, it cannot be said that they lack vigilance in certain matters. “We must clarify that our opposition to Jamaat-e-Islami is not against Islam or Muslims,” MV Govindan makes sure to explain, emphasizing this stance (news reports, December 24, 2024). Notice his care to avoid causing pain to Muslim brothers! Observe the vigilance with which they make sure they are not misunderstood! Everyone must learn from and observe all of this!
(To be continued…)