Too much God in his country - On the religious radicalization of Kerala

 In his 'The Afghan', a so called 'thriller' intended as a beach-read for a post-9/11 western audience, Frederick Forsyth mentions the unnoticed radicalization of Muslim youth in a place called 'Kerala' in south India. Indeed, two 'terrorists' in the never ending and forever winding plot are two impoverished boys, gulf immigrants' from there.

One should indeed be happy that not many people seem to have read it in my homeland, else we would have been bombasted with essays as to how the thriller writer is yet another pawn in 'anti-islamic American imperialism' and a purveyor of 'neo-liberal globalization.' Most probably, they would have appeared in a Jamaat-e-Islami magazine (which, I also have to admit sometimes contains very well written stuff), but could also have appeared in more 'progressive' ones.

Swami Vivekanandan, who, in a cruel twist of fate, has turned into an icon for the hindutva movement, had once called Kerala an asylum, commenting on the practices of the caste system of his day. But the progressive movements that would sweep through the land at the beginning and during the middle of the last century, some linked with the national movement and some not, would change, improve and indeed make it a livable place.

All that is at stake now.

How do I know and who am I to say ? Err, nobody other than a citizen who keeps his eyes open and tries to be intellectually honest.

The signs are absolutely everywhere.

The Hindutva forces are fast acquiring acceptance in the mainstream discourse, despite their lack of electoral success and extremist Islam is rapidly finding acceptance among the impressionable, mostly poor Muslim youth.

Meanwhile the mainstream left is still debating grammar and treats dissent with its version of stalinism while the wimpy center aka the Congress is still waiting for instructions from the 'high command'.

While the Hindutva forces, esp. the RSS has always been there, electoral success too has always eluded them. What is new is that especially through 'cultural' organizations, they are suddenly a big part of the mainstream discourse in a much larger extend than before. The role played by the detestable godmen and godwomen also has contributed immensely to this growth.

But even more alarming is the radicalization of the Muslim youth and the militarization of Muslim politics. Muslim League, while definitely communal was never militant. It is being co-opted by agents of 'purer' and more militant Islam. Again, while Jamaat-e-Islami and even NDF to an extend, have been part of Kerala politics, what is new is their undeniable gaining of strength over Muslim League and their newfound electoral ambitions.

It is back to middle ages in the age of Youtube.

Speaking of Youtube videos, watch this video and shudder (its in Malayalam).... I am afraid, not feeling optimistic.