THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A controversy has erupted over ICHR's (Indian Council for Historical Research) decision to remove 387 leaders, including Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji and Ali Musailiar, from 'Dictionary of Martyrs of India's Freedom Struggle'. While prominent historians disagreed with this decision, political parties, including the Muslim League, came forward to criticize the decision. Meanwhile, the BJP has welcomed the ICHR's decision.

The decision was made after a three-member panel reviewed the entries in the Fifth Volume List published by the ICHR. The panel reportedly stated that the Malabar Rebellion was not an independence struggle but focused on religious conversions. Incidentally, it was just the other day that top RSS leader Ram Madhav raked up the issue that the national leadership is aware of the correct history and therefore, it will not give any space to such Talibani or separatist forces to create violence or divide people in the country, be it Kashmir or Kerala.

MGS Narayanan, former chairman of ICHR, reacted to the ICHR's decision by stating that it was politically motivated. "What must not be forgotten is such acts by this organisation will affect its credibility," said the now 88-year-old veteran historian. Historian Dr. KKN Kurup, the former Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University, said there was no need for new evidence to establish that the Malabar Rebellion was part of the freedom struggle.

ICHR Director Om Jee Upadhyay said that the list of freedom fighters would be revised on the recommendation of the committee. The revised list will be released by the end of October.