Muslim League pursues Muslim politics as part of Islamic politics: CPM state committee member P Jayarajan

CPM state committee member P Jayarajan's book 'Keralam: Muslim Rashtreeyam Rashtreeya Islam' has become the talk of the town in political Kerala. Protests erupted to the extent that the book was burnt. Conversation with P Jayarajan in this context.

P Jayarajan said that apart from holding discussions with CPM leaders and other politicians, discussions were also held with the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami for the writing of the book. "The leader of Jamaat-e-Islami has also given me some books to read. The book traces the movements of Muslim sects over a century. I have given importance to the politics in my book," Jayarajan said.

Hasn't there been criticisms against the book?

Those who never saw an elephant are closing their eyes and touching it. Touching the elephant's ear and saying it's like a fan. The protests are in the name of such a misunderstanding. Abdul Nasar Madani has been accurately assessed in the book. It is history. I have said what the former state president of the League has said about Madani. It's not a new story.

In 2008, I wrote a book titled 'Sangarshangalude Rashtreeyam Fascisathinte Aasuravazhikal'. The book talks about infiltration by the RSS. Communal riots in Poonthura. On one side, the RSS, and the other, the ISS. It was Madani who formed the ISS. Even the protesters have no dispute on that. The sentiment generated by Madani's speech that day had created problems. Madani was imprisoned for a long time without trial in the Coimbatore blast case. That's when there was a change in him. In this book, I am talking about the change in Madani's stand. I am saying that Madani's political career has two parts. That's why I say you should give your opinion only after reading the book.

What are you trying to say?

I am saying that Muslim politics and political Islam are two different things. The Muslim League is a party that actually pursues Muslim politics as part of Islamic politics. The League wanted to make a change in this following the case of chopping off the hand of Joseph Mash. Thereafter, a meeting of all except jamaat-e-Islami was called. Jamaat-e-Islami said, "As we have been excluded for spreading extremist ideas, we will speak out about what you have done." The League is made to drink the Kottakkal Kashayam (Ayurvedic medicine) prepared by the Jamaat-e-Islami. Small children are made to drink bitter kashayam by force. Similarly, the League is made to drink the Kashayam prepared by the Jamaat. That's what's still going on still.

The chief minister said that the opinions in the book are only yours. Anything about that?

I'll tell later...