The political landscape of Kerala has been set ablaze by the Congress’s decision to formally accept the support of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) for the 2026 Assembly elections. While Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan has launched a vigorous defense of the alliance, calling the Islamist organization “secular,” the move has raised grave questions about the party’s willingness to sacrifice constitutional values for vote-bank arithmetic.
The controversy is compounded by a recent ideological “slip-up” within the Jamaat, where top leadership openly defended the concept of an Islamic Republic, contradicting the moderate image the Congress is attempting to sell to the public.
They Are Secular Now
Speaking in Kasaragod on February 7, 2026, V. D. Satheesan dismissed concerns regarding Jamaat-e-Islami’s fundamentalist roots. He argued that since the organization’s Ameer has distanced it from religious fundamentalism in the Indian context, there is “no problem” in accepting their support.
Satheesan also turned the guns on the CPI(M), accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of hypocrisy. He pointed out that the Left has a 40-year history of flirting with the same organization whenever it suited their electoral needs.
“Jamaat-e-Islami was secular when it supported the Left; why does it become communal only when it supports the UDF?” — V. D. Satheesan.
The Mask Slips
While the Congress attempts to brand JeI as a “reformed” entity, the organization’s own leaders seem to disagree. Just last month, Jamaat-e-Islami State General Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Karakunnu posted a viral Facebook message that shook the “secular” narrative to its core.
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The Claim: Karakunnu stated that “no true believer in Islam could reject the idea of an Islamic Republic.”
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The Medina Model: He praised the 7th-century Medina state as the ideal humanistic state, arguing that the desire for a religious statehood is central to the faith.
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The Contradiction: This statement directly contradicts the moderate PR-friendly stance of the Ameer, proving that the core ideology of a Theocratic State remains the driving force of the organization.
The Bloody Legacy
To understand why this alliance is dangerous, one must look at the history of the movement founded by Abul A’la Maududi in 1941. The Jamaat-e-Islami is not just a political party; it is a transnational Islamist movement with a track record of violence and secessionism across the subcontinent.
| Region | Extremist Actions & Legacy |
| Bangladesh (1971) | Opposed independence; formed Al-Badr and Al-Shams militias that assisted the Pakistani army in the genocide of Hindus and Bengali intellectuals. |
| Jammu & Kashmir | The JeI-Kashmir branch was the parent organization of Hizbul Mujahideen, the valley’s largest indigenous terrorist group. It was banned in 2019 for its secessionist activities. |
| Pakistan | A primary driver of radicalization; pioneered the persecution of minority sects like the Ahmadis and has consistently pushed for hardline Sharia law. |
A Dangerous Game of Normalization
By accepting support from a group whose ideological DNA is rooted in the rejection of secularism, the Congress is playing a high-stakes game. Critics argue that this isn’t just “opportunistic politics”; it is the normalization of extremism.
When mainstream parties like the Congress and CPI(M) validate such groups, they empower the very narratives that threaten social harmony and national security. In 2026, the question for the Kerala voter is no longer just about development or corruption; it is about whether the “secular fabric” is being used as a shroud to cover alliances with Extremists.
Also read: ISIS-K in Meghalaya: The 2027 Ultimatum to Garo Hills
