Keralam CM demands apology from CPI(M) for “seeking to demonise” Muslim-majority Malappuram district

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheeshan. File | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Sunday (October 4, 2026) demanded an unconditional apology from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] for allegedly seeking to demonise the Muslim-majority Malappuram district as a “hive of fundamentalists and communalists”. 

In a post on X, Mr. Satheesan “strongly condemned the communal slurs made by the CPI(M) leader P. Nandakumar, denigrating the people of Malappuram as fundamentalists”. 

Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Nandakumar delivered the “unacceptable rhetoric” in the presence of former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan. He said Mr. Vijayan did not object or seek to correct Mr. Nandakumar’s remarks, signalling that the former MLA’s remarks had the CPI(M)’s “tacit endorsement”.