Indian Union Muslim League

Indian Union Muslim League
AbbreviationIUML
PresidentK. M. Kader Mohideen
ChairmanSayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal
General SecretaryP. K. Kunhalikutty
Rajya Sabha LeaderP. V. Abdul Wahab
Lok Sabha LeaderE. T. Muhammed Basheer
FounderM. Muhammad Ismail
Founded
  • 10 March 1948 (1948-03-10) (First Council)
  • 1 September 1951 (1951-09-01) (Constitution)
Preceded byAIML
HeadquartersQuaid-e-Millath Manzil, No. 36, Maraikayar Lebbai Street, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Student wingMuslim Students Federation (msf)
Youth wingMuslim Youth League (Youth League)
Women's wingMuslim Women's League
Labour wingSwatantra Thozhilali Union (STU)
Peasant's wingSwathanthra Karshaka Sangam (SKS)
IdeologyIslamic democracy
Liberal conservatism
Political positionCentre-right to right-wing
ECI statusState Party
AllianceUDF (Kerala)
SSJVA (Tamil Nadu)
INDIA (National)
Seats in Rajya Sabha
2 / 245
Seats in Lok Sabha
3 / 543
Seats in State Legislative Assemblies
24 / 4,036
List
22 / 140
(Kerala)
2 / 234
(Tamil Nadu)
Number of states and union territories in government
2 / 31
Election symbol
IUML Election Symbol
Party flag
Website
iumlkerala.org

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), or simply the Muslim League, is a Muslim political party based in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is recognised as a State Party in Kerala by the Election Commission of India.

After the Partition of India, the first Council of the Indian segment of the All-India Muslim League was held on 10 March 1948 at the south Indian city of Madras (now Chennai). The party renamed itself as the 'Indian Union Muslim League' and adopted a new constitution on 1 September 1951.

IUML is a major member of United Democratic Front, the INC-led state level ruling alliance in Kerala. With a strong comeback to power the party shares important cabinet ministries in Keralam government. The party has always had a constant, albeit small, presence in the Indian Parliament. The party is a part of the INDIA in national level. The League first gained a ministry (Minister of State for External Affairs) in Indian Government in 2004.

The party currently has five members in Parliament – E. T. Mohammed Basheer, M. P. Abdussamad Samadani and Kani K. Navas in the Lok Sabha and P. V. Abdul Wahab and Adv. Haris Beeran in the Rajya Sabha – and twenty two members in Kerala State Legislative Assembly.

History

Muhammad Ismail Sahib on a 1996 stamp of India
A postage stamp released in commemoration of Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal (1936–2009).

The first Muslim political agency in the region was the Kerala Muslim Majlis formed in 1931. It joined the federal setup of All-India Muslim League later.

After the partition of India in 1947, the All-India Muslim League was virtually disbanded. It was succeeded by the Indian segment of the Muslim League in the new Dominion of India (first session on 10 March 1948 and constitution passed on 1 September 1951). M. Muhammad Ismail, the then President of the Madras unit of the Muslim League was chosen as the Convener of the Indian segment of the party. The Travancore Muslim League (the States' Muslim League) was merged with the Malabar League in November 1956.

Indian Union Muslim League contests General Elections under the Indian Constitution. The party is normally represented by two members in the Indian Lower House (the Lok Sabha). B. Pocker, elected from Malappuram Constituency, was a member of the First Lower House (1952–57) from the Madras Muslim League. The party currently has four members in Parliament.

Apart from Kerala and West Bengal, the League had Legislative Assembly members in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Maharastra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam. In West Bengal, the League had won Assembly seats in the 1970s, and A. K. A. Hassanussaman was a member of the Ajoy Mukherjee cabinet.

Indian Union Muslim League first gained a ministry in Kerala Government as part of the Communist Party of India Marxist-led United Front in 1967. The party switched fronts in 1969 and formed an alliance with the Congress in 1976. It later became a chief constituent in a succession of Indian National Congress-led ministries.

Early years

From the 1960s to the 80s

With the Congress Party

In the 1990s

From the 2000s

National President of Indian Union Muslim League

No. Name Portrait Tenure Home State
1 M. Muhammed Ismail 10 March 1948 — 5 April 1972 Tamil Nadu
2 Bafaqy Thangal 1972 — 19 January 1973 Kerala
3 Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait 1973–1994 Karnataka
4 G. M. Banatwala 1994— 25 June 2008 Maharashtra
5 E. Ahamed 25 June 2008 — 1 February 2017 Kerala
6 K. M. Kader Mohideen 27 February 2017 — present Tamil Nadu

Ideology

The [Indian Union Muslim League] party...has shown strands of identity politics, but largely remained communitarian; it has at times been conservative, but never communal. It has furthered Muslim aspirations without antagonising any other segment—and hence has retained its centrality in the larger Kerala polity.

— Outlook

The distinctive feature of the [Indian Union] Muslim League in Kerala is that it strove to keep the [Muslim] community at the centre of the [Kerala] state's politics, unlike other Muslim political formations elsewhere in India that revelled in confessional isolationism. As a result, the Kerala Muslims emerged as probably the only community of that faith in India that achieved genuine political empowerment on the one hand and, on the other, lived out the promise of equal citizenship enshrined in the [Indian] Constitution.

— Outlook

If organising a religious community politically on the basis of antagonism to another is communalism, the IUML has never mobilised its cadre nor used its political and often administrative clout to create religious divides. On the contrary, whenever the state faced a communally sensitive situation, the party rose to the occasion and played a stellar role in dousing the flames....By practicing a brand of politics that could be termed communitarian rather than communal, the IUML succeeded in actualising the constitutional guarantee of equal citizenship for the Muslims in the state.

— The Indian Express

Composition

Designation Name
Chairman- Political Advisory Committee (PAC)Sadiq Ali Thangal (Kerala)
National PresidentK. M. Kader Mohideen (Tamil Nadu)
Vice Presidents Iqbal Ahmed (Uttar Pradesh)
Dastagir Ibrahim Aga (Karnataka)
National General Secretary P. K. Kunhalikutty (Kerala)
National Organising Secretary E. T. Mohammed Basheer (Kerala)
National Treasurer P. V. Abdul Wahab (Kerala)
Secretaries Khorrum Anis Omer (Delhi)
M. P. Abdussamad Samadani (Kerala)
Jayanthi Rajan (Kerala)
S. Naim Akthar (Bihar)
Siraj Ebrahim Sait (Karnataka)
Assistant Secretaries Abdul Basith (Tamil Nadu)
Kausar Hayat Khan (Uttar Pradesh)

Organizational structure

Kerala Legislative Assembly

Source: http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/electionhistory.html Archived 11 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine

Early years (1957–1979/80)

Election Seats Vote% Government/Opposition Ministers Sources
Won (Contested)
1957 8 (19)

As independents

 4.72 Opposition (to Namboodiripad Ministry)

1957–59
1960 11 (12) 5.0 Increase Government (Pattom Ministry)

1960–62

  • Formally left the coalition in 1961 as an abstaining Opposition.
 Excluded from the Pattom Ministry
Abstaining Opposition (to Shankar Ministry)

1962–64
1965 6 (16) 3.71 Decrease Inconclusive (no government formed)
1967 14 (15) 6.75 Increase Government (Namboodiripad Ministry)

1967–69
Government (Achutha Menon Ministry)

1969–70
1970 11 (20) 7.7 Increase Government (Achutha Menon Ministry)

1970–77
1977 13 (16) 6.65 Decrease Government (Karunakaran Ministry)

1977
Government (Antony Ministry)

1977–78
Government (PKV Ministry)

1978–79
Government (Koya Ministry)

1979

With the United Democratic Front (1979/80–present)

Election Seats Vote % Government/Opposition Ministers
Won (Contested)
1980 14 (21) 7.18 Increase Opposition (to Nayanar Ministry)

1980–81

Government (Karunakaran Ministry)

1981–82
1982 14 (18) 6.17 Decrease Government (Karunakaran Ministry)

1982–87
1987 15 (23) 7.73 Increase Opposition

(to Nayanar Ministry)

1987–91

1991 19 (22) 7.37 Decrease Government

(Karunakaran Ministry)

1991–95
Government

(Antony Ministry)

1995–96
1996 13 (23) 7.19 Decrease Opposition

(to Nayanar Ministry)

1996–2001

2001 16 (21) 7.59 Increase Government

(Antony Ministry)

2001–2004
Government

(Chandy Ministry)

2004–2006
2006 7 (21) 7.30 Decrease Opposition

(to Achuthanandan Ministry)

2006–11

2011 20 (23) 7.92 Increase Government

(Chandy Ministry)

2011–16
2016 18 (23) 7.40 Decrease Opposition

(to Vijayan Ministry)

2016–2021

2021 15 (25) 8.27 Increase Opposition

(to Vijayan Ministry)

2021—2026

2026 22 (27) 11.01 Increase Government

(Satheesan Ministry) 2026– Incumbent

Current members

Map of Kerala showing 2021 Assembly Election Results
Legislative Constituency Member
Kerala
Kasaragod
Manjeshwaram A. K. M. Ashraf
KasaragodN. A. Nellikkunnu
Kozhikode
KoduvallyM. K. Muneer
Malappuram
KondottyT. V. Ibrahim
EranadP. K. Basheer
ManjeriU. A. Latheef
Perinthalmanna

Najeeb Kanthapuram

MankadaManjalamkuzhi Ali
MalappuramP. Ubaidulla
VengaraP. K. Kunhalikutty
VallikkunnuP. Abdul Hameed
TirurangadiK. P. A. Majeed
TirurKurukkoli Moideen
KottakkalK. K. Abid Hussain Thangal
Palakkad
MannarkkadN. Samsudheen

Electoral performance

Kerala

Loksabha election results in Kerala
Election Year Alliance Seats contested Seats won Total Votes Percentage of votes ± Vote
2024 UDF 2
2 / 20
 1,199,839 6.07% Increase 0.59%
2019 UDF 2
2 / 20
 1,111,697 5.48% Increase 0.94%
2014 UDF 2
2 / 20
 816,226 4.54% Decrease 0.54%
2009 UDF 2
2 / 20
 813,741 5.07% Increase 0.21%
2004 UDF 2
1 / 20
 733,228 4.86% Decrease 0.44%
1999 UDF 2
2 / 20
 810,135 5.30% Increase 0.29%
1998 UDF 2
2 / 20
 745,070 5.01% Decrease 0.07%
1996 UDF 2
2 / 20
 745,070 5.08% Increase 0.06%
1991 UDF 2
2 / 20
 715,222 5.02% Decrease 0.21%
1989 UDF 2
2 / 20
 780,322 5.23% Decrease 0.06%
1984 UDF 2
2 / 20
 575,754 5.29% Decrease 0.27%
1980 UDF 2
2 / 20
 454,235 5.60% Decrease 0.40%
1977 UDF 2
2 / 20
 533,726 6.0% Increase 0.38%
1971 Steady 2
2 / 19
 366,702 5.62% Decrease 0.98%
1967 Steady 2
2 / 19
 413,868 6.6% Increase 2.11%
1962 Steady 3
2 / 18
 248,038 4.49% Increase 2.84%
1957 Steady 1
1 / 18
 99,777 1.65% New
Kerala Legislative Assembly election results
Election Year Alliance Seats contested Seats won Total Votes Percentage of votes ± Vote
2026 UDF 26
22 / 140
 2,378,053 11.01% Increase 2.74%
2021 UDF 25
15 / 140
 1,723,593 8.27% Increase 0.87%
2016 UDF 23
18 / 140
 1,496,864 7.4% Decrease 0.52%
2011 UDF 23
20 / 140
 1,383,670 7.92% Increase 0.62%
2006 UDF 21
7 / 140
 1,135,098 7.30% Decrease 0.70%
2001 UDF 23
16 / 140
 1,259,572 8.00% Increase 0.81%
1996 UDF 22
13 / 140
 1,025,556 7.19% Decrease 0.18%
1991 UDF 22
19 / 140
 1,044,582 7.37% Decrease 0.36%
1987 UDF 23
15 / 140
 985,011 7.73% Increase 1.56%
1982 UDF 18
14 / 140
 590,255 6.17% Decrease 1.01%
1980 UDF 21
14 / 140
 684,910 7.18% Increase 0.52%
1977 UDF 16
13 / 140
 584,642 6.66% Decrease 0.90%
1970 Steady 20
11 / 133
 569,220 7.56% Increase 0.81%
1967 Steady 15
14 / 133
 424,159 6.75% Increase 2.92%
1965 Steady 16
6 / 133
 242,529 3.83% Decrease 1.13%
1960 Steady 12
11 / 126
 401,925 4.96% New
1957 Steady 19
8 / 126
 4.72% Steady

Tamil Nadu

Loksabha election results in Tamil Nadu
Election Year Alliance Seats contested Seats won Total Votes Percentage of votes ± Vote
2024 INDIA 1
1 / 39
 5,09,664 1.17% Increase 0.09%
2019 UPA 1
1 / 39
 4,69,943 1.08% Increase 0.57%
2014 UPA 1
1 / 39
 205,896 0.51% Decrease 0.68%
2009 UPA 2
1 / 39
 360,474 1.19% Steady
2004 UPA 1
0 / 39
1999 DPPA 1
0 / 39
1991 PMK+ 5
0 / 39
1989 Congress+ 1
1 / 39
 356,637
1984 DPA 1
0 / 39
 176,372
1980 DPA 1
1 / 39
 232,567 1.26%
1977 AIADMK+ 1
0 / 39
1971 DMK+ 1
1 / 39
 175,940 1.10% Decrease 0.07
1967 DMK+ 1
1 / 39
 180,392 1.17%
1951 Steady 1
1 / 75
 79,470 0.40% New
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election results
Election Year Alliance Seats contested Seats won Total Votes Percentage of votes ± Vote
2026 TVK+ 2
2 / 234
 142,465 0.29% Decrease 0.19%
2021 DMK+ 3
0 / 234
 222,263 0.48% Decrease 0.25%
2016 DMK+ 5
1 / 234
 313,808 0.73% Increase 0.52%
2011 DMK+ 3
0 / 234
2006 DMK+ 2
0 / 234
2001 DMK+ 1
0 / 234
 30,497 0.1%
1996 AIADMK+ 1
0 / 234
1989 INC+ 5
0 / 234
1980 DMK-INC(I)+ 8
1 / 234
1977 AIADMK+ 1
1 / 234
 26,620 0.2% Decrease 0.24%
1971 DMK+ 2
2 / 234
 69,634 0.44% Decrease 0.22%
1967 DMK+ 3
3 / 234
 95,494 0.62% Decrease 0.1%
1962 DMK+ 6
0 / 206
 89,968 0.71% Decrease 0.22%
1952 Steady 13
5 / 375
 1,86,546 0.93% Steady

List of Union Ministers

No. Photo Portfolio Name
(Lifespan) 		Assumed office Left office Duration Constituency
(House) 		Prime Minister
1 Minister of External Affairs
(MoS) 		E. Ahamed
(1938–2017) 		23 May
2004 		22 May
2009 		4 years, 364 days Ponnani
(Lok Sabha) 		Manmohan Singh
Minister of Railways
(MoS) 		28 May
2009 		19 January
2011 		1 year, 236 days Malappuram
(Lok Sabha)
Minister of External Affairs
(MoS) 		19 January
2011 		26 May
2014 		3 years, 127 days
Minister of Human Resource Development
(MoS) 		12 July
2011 		28 October
2012 		1 year, 108 days

Members of Parliament

Lok Sabha Members

Source: Loksabha
ElectionLok sabhaMemberConstituency
1951 1st Lok Sabha B. Pocker Malappuram
1957 2nd Lok Sabha B. Pocker Manjeri
1962 3rd Lok Sabha C. H. Mohammed Koya Kozhikode
M. Muhammad Ismail Manjeri
1967 4th Lok Sabha M. Muhammad Ismail Manjeri
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Kozhikode
S. M. Muhammed Sheriff Ramananthapuram
1971 5th Lok Sabha M. Muhammad Ismail Manjeri
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Kozhikode
S. M. Muhammed Sheriff Periyakulam
Abu Taleb Chowdhury Murshidabad
1977 6th Lok Sabha G. M. Banatwalla Ponnani
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Manjeri
1980 7th Lok Sabha G. M. Banatwalla Ponnani
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Manjeri
A. K. A. Abdul Samad Vellore
1984 8th Lok Sabha G. M. Banatwalla Ponnani
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Manjeri
1989 9th Lok Sabha G. M. Banatwalla Ponnani
Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Manjeri
A. K. A. Abdul Samad Vellore
1991 10th Lok Sabha Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait Ponnani
E. Ahamed Manjeri
1996, 1998, 1999 11, 12, 13th Lok Sabha G. M. Banatwalla Ponnani
E. Ahamed Manjeri
2004 14th Lok Sabha E. Ahamed Ponnani
K.M. Kader Mohideen Vellore
2009 15th Lok Sabha E. Ahamed Malappuram
E. T. Mohammed Basheer Ponnani
Abdul Rahman Vellore
2014 16th Lok Sabha E. Ahamed and

P. K. Kunhalikutty

 Malappuram
E. T. Mohammed Basheer Ponnani
2019 17th Lok Sabha P. K. Kunhalikutty and

M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

 Malappuram
E. T. Mohammed Basheer Ponnani
K. Navas Kani Ramananthapuram
2024 18th Lok Sabha E. T. Mohammed Basheer Malappuram
M. P. Abdussamad Samadani Ponnani
K. Navas Kani Ramananthapuram

Rajya Sabha Members

Source: Rajyasabha
StateMemberYear
Madras M. Muhammad Ismail 1952–58
Tamil Nadu A. K. A. Abdul Samad 1964–70
S. A. Khwaja Mohideen 1968–74
A. K. A. Abdul Samad 1970–76
A. K. Refaye 1972–78
S. A. Khwaja Mohideen 1974–80
Kerala Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait 1960–66
Abdulla Koya 1967–73

1974–98

Hamid Ali Schamnad 1970–79
Abdussamad Samadani 1994–2006
Korambayil Ahammed 1998–03
P. V. Abdul Wahab 2004–10

2015–present

Adv.Haris Beeran 2024–present

List of State Cabinet Ministers

Cabinet Ministers from Indian Union Muslim League in defferent ministries of Kerala
Sl. No. Name Designation Tenure Cabinet Chief Minister Notes
1 P. K. Abdu Rabb Minister for Education 2011–2016 Second Oommen Chandy ministry Oommen Chandy
2 Manjalamkuzhi Ali Minister for Urban Affairs and Minority Welfare 2012–2016 Assumed office on 12 April 2012
3 M. K. Muneer Minister for Social Welfare and Panchayats 2011–2016
4 V. K. Ebrahimkunju Minister for Public Works 2011–2016
5 P. K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries, IT, Trade & Commerce, Mining & Geology, Wakf & Haj Affairs 2011–2016 # Minister for Industries and Information Technology (with effect from 12 April 2012 )

Hold the portfolio of urban affairs from 18 May 2011 to 12 April 2012

1 Kutty Ahammed Kutty Minister for Local Self Government 2004–2006 First Oommen Chandy ministry Oommen Chandy
2 E. T. Muhammed Basheer Minister for Education 2004–2006
3 P. K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries and Social Welfare 2004–2005 Assumed office on 31 August 2004 AN

and resigned on 4 January 2005

4 M. K. Muneer Minister for Public Works 2004–2006
V. K. Ebrahimkunju Minister for Industries and Social Welfare 2005-2006 Assumed office on 6 January 2005
1 Chekkalam Abdulla Minister for Local Self Government 2001–2004 Third A. K. Antony ministry A. K. Antony
2 Nalakath Soopy Minister for Education 2001–2004
3 P. K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries and Social Welfare 2001–2004 Assumed office on 17 May 2001
4 M. K. Muneer Minister for Public Works 2001–2004
1 E. T. Muhammed Basheer Minister for Education 1995–1996 Second A. K. Antony ministry A. K. Antony
2 P. K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries and Municipalities 1995–1996
3 P. K. K. Bava Minister for Panchayat and Social Welfare 1995–1996
4 C. T. Ahammed Ali Minister for Public Works 1995–1996
1 E. T. Muhammed Basheer Minister for Education 1991–1995 Fourth K. Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran
2 P. K. Kunhalikutty Minister for Industries 1991–1995
3 C. T. Ahammed Ali Minister for Local Administration 1991–1995 Assumed office on 29 June 1991
4 P.K.K Bava Minister for Public Works 1991-1995 Assumed office on 29 June 1991
01 K. Avukaderkutty Naha Deputy Chief Minister of Kerala 1983–1987 Third K. Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran Assumed office on 24 October 1983
02 C. H. Mohammed Koya Deputy Chief Minister of Kerala 1982–1983 Expired on 28 September 1983
01 C. H. Mohammed Koya Deputy Chief Minister of Kerala & Minister for Public Works 1981–1982 Second K. Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran
01 C. H. Mohammed Koya Chief Minister of Kerala Oct 1979 –Dec 1979 Koya ministry — The Koya ministry lasted 1 month and 20 days.
01 C. H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Education 1978–1979 P. K. Vasudevan Nair ministry P. K. Vasudevan Nair
02 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Local Administration 1978–1979 Assumed office on 9 December 1978
01 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Local Administration 1977-78 First Antony ministry A. K. Antony
02 C. H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Education 1977-78 Resigned w.e.f. 20 December 1977 and again assumed office on 4 October 1978
U. A. Beeran Minister for Education January 1978 - October 1978 Assumed office on 27 January 1978 and resigned w. e. f. 3 October 1978
01 C.H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Education 25 March 1977 - 25 April 1977 First Karunakaran ministry K. Karunakaran
2 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Local Administration 25 March 1977 - 25 April 1977
01 C. H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Education and Home 1970–1977 Second C. Achutha Menon ministry C. Achutha Menon Resigned w.e.f. 1 March 1973
02 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Food and Local Administration 1970–1977
03 Chakkeeri Ahamed Kutty Minister for Education 1973-1977 Assumed office on 2 March 1973
01 C. H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Home and Education 1969–1970 First C. Achutha Menon ministry C. Achutha Menon
02 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Local Administration 1969–1970
01 K. Avukader Kutty Naha Minister for Panchayats 1967–1969 E. M. S. Namboodiripad ministry E. M. S. Namboodiripad ** Assumed office on 9 November 1968 and Resigned w. e. f. 21 October 1969
02 M. P. M. Ahammed Kurikkal Minister for Panchayats 1967–1969 ** Expired on 24 October 1968
03 C. H. Mohammed Koya Minister for Education 1967–1969 ** Resigned w.e.f. 21 October 1969

Controversies

Women rights

In 2013, the party demanded Muslim women to be excluded from the Child Marriage Act which prescribes 18 as women's legal marital age and 21 for men, in Supreme court stating its contradictory to Muslim Personal laws. Similarly in 2021, the party was against the Union Cabinet's suggestion to change the minimum marriage age of women from 18 to 21 years.

The party when in control of the local self-government department, issued a circular which legalised marriage for Muslim women between ages of 16 and 18 and Muslim men below age 21. The circular was later amended after backlash. In 2021, ten female leaders from the disbanded Haritha state committee lodged a police complaint against the state president of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) and the Malappuram district general secretary, accusing them of making sexual remarks and sexual harassment charges. Following this Fathima Thahiliya, vice-president of MSF, who supported the women leaders was removed from her post.

The Muslim League has opposed the Supreme Court of India verdict regarding entry of adult women to Sabarimala temple.

LGBT rights

It is also at odds with several LGBTQ rulings from the Supreme Court. The party also supports the primacy of Muslim Personal Law among Indian Muslims.

IUML opposes implementing gender neutrality and comprehensive sex education in school curriculum saying that it promotes homosexuality, leads to sexual anarchy and is part of an atheist-liberal conspiracy to destroy religious values. In 2022, IUML leader Abdurahiman Randathani made statement that the co-educational schools teach homosexuality and masturbation. In 2023, IUML leader K. M. Shaji made controversial statement that the LGBT members are the 'worst humans'. He made similar statement in 2026 too. Similarly in 2023, another IUML leader M.K Muneer made controversial comment on a trans man who gave birth.

Conservatism & Violence

An article by the current president of the Muslim League, on Hagia Sophia, seemed to support the views of political Islam. Muslim League generally presents itself as a conservative political party in Kerala. The Catholic Church has also criticized the IUML for organizing solidarity programs in support of Hamas, arguing that such actions downplay or obscure the terrorist attacks carried out by the group. A controversy occurred in 2015, when the Islamic symbol of Crescent moon and a star appeared in a Board Exam question paper when IUML's P.K. Abdu Rabb was Kerala's Education minister.The Kerala School Teachers Association (KSTA) alleged that the IUML was exerting influence over the state's education system.

The party leaders were also involved in the Marad massacre, which involved the killing of 8 Hindu fishermen. Eight party workers were also convicted in 2024 for the killing of a DYFI activist.

In July 2023, following the Manipur violence where a woman was paraded naked in public, members of the Muslim League raised anti Hindu slogans in Kanhangad, located in the Kasaragod district of Kerala. The following day, Kerala Police arrested five of those members. Upon criticism over the incident, the State President of IUML Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal responded on 28 July, saying no one has the right to hurt the sentiments and faith of others. In 2025, an FIR was filed against IUML leader Basheer Vellikoth for provocative remarks on television on Pahalgam terrorist attack. In 2025, the BJP criticised IUML MP of Navaskani for eating non-veg in the Tiruparankundram temple premises.

Casteism

In 2021, the IUML leaders made casteism remarks on the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter's marriage as 'prostitution'. In 2023, the Kerala Women Commission booked cased against IUML leader K. M. Shaji over his comments on minister Veena George in a speech involving alleged casteist remarks. In 2025, case has been filed against IUML workers for using casteism slurs and conducting "purification ritual" after a Scheduled caste man was relieved from a local government body position.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013" (PDF). India: Election Commission of India. 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Atheist Fundamentalists". The Times of India.
  3. ↑ "Leaderless Anti-CAA Protests Underscore Muslim Political Orphanhood". 4 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "A coloured scheme of things".
  5. ↑ Mukherjee, Pampa; Saxena, Rekha; Mitra, Subrata (16 June 2022). The 2019 Parliamentary Elections in India Democracy at the Crossroads?. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 9781000591057. ... the Indian Union Muslim League(IUML) in Kerala,... are all, by and large, centre-right political formations
  6. ↑ "List of Political Parties & Symbol MAIN Notification". Election Commission of India. 31 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wright, T. (1966). The Muslim League in South India since Independence: A Study in Minority Group Political Strategies. The American Political Science Review, 60(3), 579–599. JSTOR 1952972
  8. 1 2 3 "Explained: History of Muslim League in Kerala and India". The Indian Express. 6 April 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 James Chiriyankandath (1996) Changing Muslim politics in Kerala: identity, interests and political strategies, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 16:2, 257-271.
  10. ↑ Press Trust of India (19 June 2004). "E. Ahamed: Minister of State for External Affairs". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  11. ↑ "Jose K Mani, P P Suneer, Haris Beeran elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed".
  12. ↑ Thampi, Praveen S. (14 February 2016). "Indian Union Muslim League looks set now on a conservative course as BJP knocks in Kerala". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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