Kerala Leader Bats For 'Separate Malabar' State; BJP Fires Back

Sunni Yuvajana Sangam (SYS) leader Mustafa Mundupara has sparked a controversy after calling for pitchcing for a "separate Malabar state" from Kerala, ANI reported.

Addressing a protest held to highlight the shortage of seats in class 11 in the Malabar region on Monday, Mundupara claimed that people of Southern Kerala and Malabar deserve equal facilities since they both contribute equally through taxes.

"When we see this injustice like southern Kerala and Malabar, if there is demand from any part that there needs to be a separate Malabar state, we can't blame them. If the people of Malabar are paying the same tax as that of southern Kerala, we should get the same facilities here. There is no point in saying it is separatism. What will happen in the country if there is a Malabar state," the news agency quoted him as saying.

The Malabar region comprises of districts Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod.

On the other hand, the BJP has come down heavily on him and the saffron party will fight any move to divide Kerala.

Kerala BJP chief, K Surendran said, "Anyone who believes that the banning of the Popular Front has eradicated extremist forces in Kerala is gravely mistaken. The audacity of SYS leader Mustafa Mundupara in demanding the division of Kerala, coupled with the silence of Pinarayi Vijayan and vdsatheesan, starkly reveals the harsh truth: The Congress and Communist parties in Kerala are on their knees, shamelessly compromising national integrity for votes."

"These political entities are the biggest obstacles to PM Narendra Modi Ji's unwavering mission to eliminate separatist forces from our nation. The BJP will fight tooth and nail against any move to divide Kerala," he added.

Meanwhile, the student organisations of the Congress Party, KSU and Muslim League are demanding more seats for class 11 in the Malabar region.