Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal | Photo Credit: The Hindu
He was the national chairman of Indian Union Muslim League
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national chairman and Kerala State president Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, 74, passed away on March 6. He died after fighting cancer for over a year. He was declared dead around 12.30 pm at Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly.
Thangal’s condition had deteriorated the previous day and he was put on a ventilator. However, his younger brother Sayed Sadikali Shihab Thangal and IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty had said that there was nothing to worry.
Thangal’s death has brought a pall of gloom to Kerala’s Muslim community, over which he wielded considerable influence. He was widely respected by the people irrespective of their faith and political affiliation.
Condolence messages started pouring in soon after the death was announced. The body will be taken to his house at Panakkad soon. His family said the funeral plans were on. Details were being worked out.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / Malappuram – March 06th, 2022
The young women leaders are talking about the “politics of honourable existence”, which is beyond the comprehension of the present IUML leadership.
Image of IUML supporters used for representational purpose (File Photo | A Sanesh, EPS)
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a constituent of the opposition UDF in Kerala, is currently engaged in fighting a fire triggered by some of its young women leaders.
Haritha, a girls’ collective part of IUML’s student wing MSF, chose to speak out against the sexist approach and remarks of the MSF’s male-dominated leadership and complained to the women’s commission when the party refused to take any action.
The offended IUML leadership asked the girls to withdraw the complaint and, when found that they were unrelenting, disbanded the entire Haritha committee. It then removed MSF national vice-president Fathima Thahliya and state vice-president P P Shyjal, who supported the Haritha leaders.
The developments underline the churn within and are seen as the outcome of the knowledge revolution among Kerala’s Muslim community that has pushed the girls onto the centre stage. They have gate-crashed into spaces that were the prerogative of the males till now. This leap is clearly visible in academia, social life and even in politics.
The young women leaders are talking about the “politics of honourable existence”, which is beyond the comprehension of the present IUML leadership.
What we see now is the conflict between the emerging politics that is sensitive to the rights of the marginalised, including women, and the conventional politics that sees only power.
The IUML leadership first tried to ignore the issues of self-respect raised by the girls. Then they tried to stifle the voice when it became louder. Now, the issue has become too hot to handle. As a political party that apparently stands for minorities and the marginalised, the IUML cannot turn a blind eye to the issues raised by women leaders. As the Haritha leaders said, the IUML has to regain its democratic structure at every level of the party. It is high time it changed its priorities and policies.
Unlike in the past, where the party enjoyed a monopoly over the Muslim community, there are other players in the field now. And they are more sensible and sensitive to the dreams of the new generation. The party should see the writing on the wall and transform itself to accommodate new perspectives.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Opinion> Editorials / September 17th, 2021
The politician is known for his soft-spoken demeanor and organisational abilities, which have helped the IUML remain relevant in the politics of Kerala, especially among the Muslim voters.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) general secretary PK Kunhalikutty is the most prominent, visible leader of IUML, an ally of the Congress in Kerala. (PK Kunhalikutty Facebook page)
On Wednesday, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) general secretary PK Kunhalikutty submitted his resignation as Lok Sabha MP from Malappuram to Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi. The decision followed a directive from the party’s state and national committees to oversee the party’s preparations and candidate selection ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in Kerala in April-May.
What is Kunhalikutty’s role in Kerala politics?
Kunhalikutty (69) is the most prominent, visible leader of IUML, an ally of the Congress in Kerala, and wields a great deal of influence not just in his own party but also in the UDF, the coalition they are a part of.
In his five decades-old career that began with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of IUML, he has been a seven-time MLA and two-time Lok Sabha MP. He has served as minister in the state cabinet four times, under Congress chief ministers K Karunakaran, AK Antony and Oommen Chandy.
He’s not a powerful orator who can make fiery speeches at political rallies, but is known for his soft-spoken demeanor and organisational abilities which have helped the IUML remain relevant in the politics of Kerala, especially among the Muslim voters. Many a time, Congress leaders have turned to Kunhalikutty to make use of his problem-solving and negotiation skills to quell issues within the UDF.
More importantly, he has the full confidence of the Panakkad Thangal family, who are to the IUML what the Gandhis are to the Congress. Kunhalikutty also maintains close relations with both Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala, the leaders of the ‘A’ and ‘I’ factions respectively within the Congress.
Is his resignation from Lok Sabha his return to ‘state politics’?
Technically yes, even though Kunhalikutty has always been a visible and active face in Kerala’s politics even after his election to the Lok Sabha.
Kunhalikutty was chosen as the party’s candidate in a bye-election in Malappuram LS constituency in 2017 after the unexpected death of E Ahammed, the IUML’s longtime national face. It indicated that he was taking a break from Kerala to play a more active role in national politics and bring together democratic, secular forces. He eventually vacated his Assembly seat of Vengara to contest from Malappuram LS seat and won by a margin of 1.7 lakh votes that year.
In the 2019 LS elections, he repeated his victory from Malappuram. The CPI(M) alleged that Kunhalikutty contested in the LS elections in the hope of getting a ministership if the Congress-led UPA came to power.
How is his resignation from Lok Sabha less than two years after being elected seen in the state’s political circles?
Naturally, the decision has sparked a range of conversations both within the UDF and rival parties.
The CPI(M) and the BJP have attacked Kunhalikutty and the IUML for forcing an unnecessary bye-election on the people of Malappuram and waste taxpayer funds at the behest of personal career moves. The CPI(M) went a step further and said Kunhalikutty is angling for a deputy CM post if the UDF comes to power and that the Congress is being subservient to the IUML.
Even within the IUML, the decision has generated criticism especially among the younger leadership who feel that the move will dampen the public image of the party. A few local leaders even resigned, protesting the move. The party leadership responded by saying that Kunhalikutty’s active presence in the Assembly election campaign and his candidacy would help bring the UDF to power.
The Congress, on its part, has welcomed the move, saying his leadership in the election campaign will boost the UDF’s prospects especially in the Malabar region where IUML has its strongholds. The party understands that a strong IUML is key to UDF’s path to power.
So, how important is IUML to Congress’ chances of returning to power in Kerala?
Very important. In the 2016 Assembly elections, the seat tally of the Congress and the IUML was separated by a mere four seats. While the Congress won just 22 out of the 87 it contested, the IUML had a very good strike-rate, winning 18 out of the 24 seats it fought in. In 2011 Assembly elections too, the IUML won 20 out of the 24 it contested. Barring exceptions, like the 2006 Assembly elections when a long line of IUML leaders including Kunhalikutty suffered defeat at the hands of the LDF, the IUML has been successful in defending its stronghold constituencies especially in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. It has been the numero uno party for Muslims in the state.
Even in the recent local body elections, the IUML swept panchayats, municipalities and corporations in Malappuram and surrounding areas even as the Congress suffered heavy defeats at the hands of the CPI(M). And so, the Congress understands that all it has to do is win at least 50 seats because the IUML will make up the difference to reach the half-way mark of 70 in the Assembly.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Explained / by Vishnu Varma, Kochi / February 05th, 2021
The law was passed in July 2019 after intense debates in both the lower and upper houses of the Parliament, with opposition parties stating that the law targeted the Muslim community even as the centre asserted that the law would help achieve gender justice for Muslim women.
In August 2017, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had declared the practice of talaq-e-biddat (a heretical form of divorce based on a husband pronouncing divorce thrice in quick succession) as unconstitutional.
A Kerala lawyer has moved the Supreme Court against a law that criminalises the practice of granting instant divorce becoming the first Muslim woman to do so since Parliament passed the legislation in 2019.
Noorbeena Rasheed on July 6 challenged the Protection of Rights on Marriage Act, which provides for a three-year punishment for talaq-e-biddat, a practise also referred to as Triple Talaq, which is practised among a small section of Muslims in the country. “The protection of women cannot be achieved by incarceration of husbands,” her petition stated.
Issuing a notice to the Centre, a bench of three justices led by N V Ramana on Monday admitted Rasheed’s petition, which will be heard with nine similar pleas challenging the law’s validity. The other petitioners include organisations like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Muslim Advocates Association, and two individuals. The petitions have called the law disproportionate as well as excessive and stringent and sought that the court hold it unconstitutional. A date for hearing these petitions has not been listed as yet.
The law was passed in July 2019 after intense debates in both the lower and upper houses of the Parliament, with opposition parties stating that the law targeted the Muslim community even as the centre asserted that the law would help achieve gender justice for Muslim women.
Rasheed’s petition questions provisions of the law including one which allows relatives of the women to file complaints. The petition stated that this provision could potentially destroy marital relationships in case of false complaint. “This provision is highly detrimental not only to the wife but also to the marital relationship.”
Her petition also sought clarification from the Centre on the assessment that underlies incarcerating Muslim men for divorcing women. “Welfare-oriented legislation would promote amicable resolution of matrimonial disputes rather than criminalise marital discord, particularly criminalisation of only one community…the intent behind the Act is not abolition of triple talaq [instant divorce] but punishment of Muslim husbands,” her petition said.
Rasheed’s lawyer, Zulfikar Ali, said they want to highlight how the law will be detrimental to the interests of Muslim women, which it seeks to protect.” He added Rasheed is also the national general secretary of the Indian Union Women’s League, which he described as the country’s largest Muslim women organisation affiliated to the Kerala-based Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). IUML has three members in Parliament’s lower House, or Lok Sabha.
In August 2017, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had declared the practice of talaq-e-biddat (a heretical form of divorce based on a husband pronouncing divorce thrice in quick succession) as unconstitutional. The practice is banned in most Muslim countries including Pakistan.
The verdict came on a petition of five Muslim women, including lead petitioner Shayara Bano, who were abandoned after their husbands pronounced instant divorce.
The Centre initially issued an ordinance after the verdict to criminalise the practice of triple talaq for the want of majority in Parliament’s upper house, or Rajya Sabha, before bringing the law.
The law makes the practice a cognisable offence. An offence of such a nature allows the police to carry out arrests without a warrant. Serious crimes such as theft, rape, and murder are also cognisable offences.
In its petition, Jamiat-Ulama-I-Hind has said there are graver offences like rioting and bribery under the Indian Penal Code for which there is a lesser punishment than instant divorce.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India News / by Abraham Thomas, Hindustan Times, New Delhi / July 08th, 2020
The last rites of the Indian National League President former MP, Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, who died on Wednesday, were performed at the Khuddus Sab Idgah maidan here on Thursday, with State honours. The Minister of State for Labour and Wakf, Tanvir Sait, laid a wreath on the body on behalf of the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh.
The Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi has expressed shock over the passing away of Mr. Sait. In a message, Mr. Chaturvedi said, “In the death of Mr. Sait, the country has lost a distinguished parliamentarian, a champion of minority rights and an eminent national leader. A man of strong principles and simple living, Mr. Sait dedicated his life to the good of society.”
Mr. Sait was one those political leaders from Karnataka who were elected to Parliament from another State.
He was born in 1922 in Mysore and graduated from St. Joseph’s College here. His father, Mohammed Sulaiman Sait, had participated in the Khilafat movement. His uncle Abdul Sattar Sait left for Pakistan at the time of partition and was that country’s first ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait’s mother and wife were from Kerala.
He began his political career as the General Secretary of the Muslim League in 1948 after giving up a career as a lecturer in English. He had to shift his political activities to Kerala as the Muslim League failed to build a base in the erstwhile Mysore State.
Though the League had a Minister in the K.C. Reddy cabinet after Independence, some of the League leaders joined the Congress or other parties.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Friday – April 29th, 2005
