Codemning Hamas without Justifications

For the uninitiated, in February 2025, during the annual Uroos festival at a mosque in Thrithala, Palakkad district, Kerala, a procession featured banners displaying images of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

These banners were prominently displayed atop elephants. The event drew over 3,000 participants and sparked widespread controversy and discussions on social media. Critics questioned the organizers’ decision to include images of individuals associated with designated terrorist organizations. The participation of local political figures, including Congress leader VT Balram and Minister MB Rajesh, further intensified the debate. They maintained the status quo of excusing terror sympathizers by criticizing media outlets for allegedly using the incident to target the Muslim community and Kerala at a national level.

During a News18 Kerala debate, a Malayalee Muslim from Palakkad admitted that what happened at the Uroos was wrong. However, he dismissed concerns by saying, “The event was organized by kids who randomly picked images from the Internet. They had no idea who these people were, so we shouldn’t make a big deal out of it.”

This raises an important question: Why is it that when left to “randomly” select images, they chose figures linked to terror groups instead of respected Muslim leaders, scientists, or sports personalities? A former Indian Army officer who was stationed in Kashmir responded thoughtfully: “If they were simply Googling, why not Abdul Kalam, cricketers like Siraj or Shami, or Muslim soldiers who died protecting our nation? Why did they choose a group in cahoots with Pakistani militant groups like LeT and JeM? Instead of dismissing this, we should educate young people about who should be admired and who should not. Only then can our nation progress. We also cannot keep excusing such incidents as the actions of innocent children. Recently in Europe, a teenager attempted a suicide bombing, and in another case, four children from the same family were radicalized into extremism.”

The Malayalee panelist logged out before responding, but a Muslim League leader acknowledged the need for change. However, like many others accused of spreading hate, he quickly shifted the discussion, saying, “Yes, all of this is bad, BUT Israel is committing genocide.”

This pattern of deflection is becoming more common. When doctors in Australia were suspended for their hate speech, the response from left-leaning supporters and a major Australian Muslim group was, “They should not have been suspended because Israel is committing genocide.” When California faced wildfires, some even claimed, “Well deserved because the U.S. supplies arms to Israel.”

The Israel-Hamas war is being used to justify hate and extremism worldwide. While criticism of geopolitical events is valid, it cannot be a shield for promoting radicalism or excusing problematic behavior.

If we applied the same logic, we could say, “Islamophobia is wrong, BUT Islamist groups like ISIS have mass-murdered people.” That would be an absurd and dangerous argument, just as deflecting discussions on extremism with geopolitical grievances is.

Condemning violence and radicalization should not come with conditions. No ifs or buts—wrong is wrong, no matter who commits it.

Why don’t we see progressive Muslim nations like the UAE and Bahrain glorify Hamas on the streets, unlike India? Because they understand the consequences— supporting such groups could destabilize their own countries and invite extremism. They firmly recognize the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which Hamas originated, as a terrorist organization and have banned it, seeing it as a source of extremism. In contrast, many Western countries have not taken similar action in their attempt to uphold secular values. This could also explain why leaders of many Muslim nations maintain ties with Modi, meeting him and discussing business, decorating him with awards and honors, instead of ostracizing him. They likely recognize where some of the propaganda against him stems from.

Is ISIL a Threat to India? Points from the Latest UN Report (2025)

The UN analytical support and sanctions monitoring team has released its 35th report that analyzes ISIL’s threat to the world. Here are some interesting points related to India:

The report states that handlers attempted to incite lone-wolf attacks through their India-based supporters. Analysts have often argued that India faces greater threats from internal radicalization than external forces, particularly from terror sympathizers.

Anti-India propaganda from terror-linked publications, such as the pro-ISIL magazine Serat ul-Haq, is now spreading on social media. These platforms frequently highlight Babri Masjid and selectively amplify one-sided, inflammatory narratives about attacks on Muslims. The goal is to fuel a victim mentality, making many believe these narratives are the absolute truth.

Those unaware of online radicalization tactics easily fall for such content, and an extreme victim mindset often leads to anger, pushing individuals toward extremist groups. Recently, the Israel-Hamas war has been exploited for recruitment by terror organizations like ISIL.

I feel it’s important for India to be wary of such anti-India propaganda online. Not every piece of news is covered to bring awareness. Selective activism and outrage are often used to misguide youth into taking up arms. There should be awareness regarding this, so people know what to expect.

Since India has established some level of cordial relations with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, it must remain cautious of this engagement. The Taliban has expressed interest in having its representatives work in India’s embassy, but given the group’s radical nature, India should approach this with hesitation.

At the end of the day, for groups like the Taliban, religious extremism often takes precedence over diplomacy.

To read the full report, go here: docs.un.org/en/S/2025/71

7 Memorable Quotes from The Love Queen of Malabar

Kamala Surayya

The Love Queen of Malabar is a captivating exploration of the life of Kamala Das, also known as Kamala Surayya, one of India’s most celebrated poets. Written by Merrily Weisbord, the book is thought-provoking, highly controversial, poetic, melancholic, and at times, shocking.

Kamala Das shares her deepest emotions with Merrily, treating her as a confidante in revealing thoughts that range from lyrical to unexpected. While the book may not appeal to everyone, it left a lasting impression on me—an eye-opener that offered a rare glimpse into the intimate world of a literary icon.

I have carefully selected some non-controversial quotes from the book. Not everything Kamala says can be shared publicly due to its sensitive nature. However, the quotes listed here provide insight into Kamala’s thoughtful persona and capture the essence of Merrily’s book.

“A writer moves away from family, old relationships, very far with the speed of a falling star,” she says. “Otherwise the writer is destroyed, and only the member of the family remains: the mother, sister, daughter, wife. The writer at some point must ask, Do I want to be a well-loved member of the family? Or do I want to be a good writer? You can’t be both at the same time. The days when you are with the children and are being a very good mother, you cease to be the writer. You feel repelled by the pen and the paper, which are definitely going to come between you and your loved ones.”

“Because the writer can give all of herself only to that task of writing. She will have to write against her loved one, put him under the microscope, dissect him, analyze his thoughts, his words. After a while he is no longer the man you held in your arms at night. You have cut him into little slivers, everything is burst open, he is seeds and pulp and juice all spread out in little bits on your writer’s table. After that, you can’t go to his arms the same way.”

If I had not learned to write how would I have written away my loneliness or grief? Garnering them within my heart would have grown heavy as a vault, one that only death might open, a release then I would not be able to feel or sense.

“Ask the books that I read why I changed,” she says. “Ask the authors dead and alive who communicated with me and gave me the courage to be myself.”

“Make a woman laugh, then make her cry, that is the secret of a good film. Not make her cry, cry, cry. What message is that for women today?”

Her dislike of organized religion is so much more pronounced than on my last visit that I wonder if any beliefs remain to comfort her. “Yes,” she answers. “A concept of God. A presence in my room. I’m not alone. I visualize a shower of moonlight falling on someone in prayer. It is a soothing exercise. I feel bathed in light, and I know there is a God.”

She tells me that even in Kerala, which prides itself on religious coexistence, she is still being attacked from both sides. The Hindu Sangh Parivar, an association of Hindu nationalist organizations, protests her ownership of the snake shrine on her own ancestral property at Nalapat because she is a Muslim. The Muslims are “disgusted” with her because she speaks against their practices and clergy, refusing to support sectarian politics she finds unpalatable. “They feel they are losing their grip on me.”

1921 Moplah Riots: False & Misleading Left-Wing Claims

In 1921, Kerala witnessed the Moplah Riots, where numerous Hindus were killed in communal violence. However, to this day, Congress and CPI(M) refuse to acknowledge it as a communal riot and instead label it a “class struggle between Hindu landlords and Muslim peasants.”

I also believed the class struggle narrative until I read B.R. Ambedkar’s book, The Partition of India. He clearly highlights the communal nature of the Moplah Riots, mentioning temple destruction, mass killings, and forced conversions of Hindus.

Some clippings from the book:

Source: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar : Writings and Speeches (Vol. 8)

If Hindus were specifically targeted, their temples destroyed, and they were forcibly converted, how can this not be considered a communal riot? Ambedkar’s account challenges the attempt to whitewash history by reducing it to just a landlord-peasant conflict.

Here is the question I asked AI and the response it generated:

Question: Were temples destroyed during the Moplah riots?

Answer: Yes, several temples were destroyed, looted, or desecrated during the Moplah Riots of 1921 in the Malabar region of Kerala.

Historical Accounts of Temple Destruction:

  1. Looting and Desecration:
    • Many Hindu temples were attacked, idols were broken, and valuables were looted.
    • Records mention temples like the Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathy Temple being desecrated.
  2. Forced Conversions and Killings:
    • The riots targeted Hindus, with reports of forced conversions, massacres, and mass displacement.
    • Many Hindus fled their villages, leaving temples unprotected.
  3. British Reports and Historical Records:
    • British colonial reports and contemporary eyewitness accounts mention temple destruction.
    • Annie Besant and Veer Savarkar documented attacks on Hindu religious sites.

Conclusion:

Yes, temples were destroyed and desecrated during the Moplah Riots, which started as an anti-British uprising but later turned into violent communal attacks against Hindus in Malabar.

So how can it be concluded as merely a class struggle? Next time, someone dismisses the communal angle of the Moplah Riots as propaganda, one should ask, “Why were temples destroyed if the riots weren’t communal? Why did conversions happen? Was Ambedkar lying in his book?“

This is just one of the many lies spread by Congress and CPI(M). Why do they do it? Only they know. Perhaps to ensure Hindus keep supporting them, or maybe to prevent the majority community from developing resentment.

The second reason might have been understandable if only they didn’t paint Hindus as villains in other communal conflicts. The lack of consistency exposes their bias.

***

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Why Hamas is Anti-India

Surprisingly, many Indians are unaware that Hamas is anti-India. I’ve seen people glorify the group as “freedom fighters who are only interested in the Palestinian cause,” but a little research makes it clear that Hamas is also pro-Pakistan and anti-India.

I found Hamas problematic from the moment the October 7 attacks happened. Left-leaning friends tried to convince me they were simply fighting oppression, but I couldn’t support a group that used rape as a weapon of resistance. As a feminist, I believe in defending women’s rights universally, not selectively. I refuse to justify rape and violence when it suits one cause while condemning it elsewhere.

October 7 changed my perspective. It exposed the hypocrisy of some so-called “feminists” who speak up only when it aligns with their politics. They remain silent on Iran oppressing women, Yazidis being taken as sex slaves by ISIS, Afghanistan restricting women’s rights, or Hamas using sexual violence as a weapon. Their activism is not about justice—it’s just political.

Why Indians Should Stop Glorifying Hamas

Hamas has expressed support for Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir, viewing it as a cause similar to the Palestinian struggle. They have engaged in discussions with Pakistani leaders about Kashmir. For instance, in 2023, reports indicated that Hamas leaders met with Pakistani officials to discuss mutual concerns, including the situation in Kashmir. This alignment underscores Hamas’s willingness to support actions that could harm innocents in India.

Source: tehelka.com/hamas-leaders-rake-up-kashmir-in-talks-with-pakistani-leader/

In February 2025, Hamas leaders landed in Pakistan for the first time to talk about Kashmir with Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, groups notorious for carrying out several terrorist attacks in India. Pakistan’s foreign intelligence feigned ignorance, making it clear they support harboring anti-India terrorists on their soil.

Radical groups often shift focus when their primary battleground becomes difficult to operate in. Radicals thrive on violence—it’s a cycle they cannot break. As Son of Hamas mentions in his book, the moment peace prevails in Palestine, terror groups seek new ways to stir conflict. This keeps their funding networks active, especially from supporters abroad.

With Hamas now struggling to regroup in Gaza, could India become the next target in this Israel-Hamas lull period?

Hamas Funded Radical Group SIMI in India

An old research paper published by SSPC in 2006 mentioned the following about Hamas’ link with SIMI, the Jamaat-e-Islami’s banned student radical group whose aim was to establish Islamic rule in India:

Page 2 of The Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict (SSPC)’s Terrorism  Monitor published in 2006. SSPC is considered credible within academic and research circles. It publishes well-researched papers and articles on global security, conflict resolution, and peace studies to inform scholars, policymakers, and the public.

SIMI morphed into the current PFI after it was banned. 

Link: sspconline.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/SIMI-Roul-TM_April-2006.pdf

A paper by Anshuman Behera (Research Assistant with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses) also mentioned this: 

Hamas was one of the major sources of funds for SIMI. 

Link: idsa.in/system/files/jds_7_1_AnshumanBehera.pdf

So when I say Hamas is anti-India and pro-Pakistan, this is what I mean. Mainstream media rarely highlights this, and older reports on the subject have either been removed or are difficult to find. Articles from 2006 that covered Hamas’s stance on Kashmir have disappeared, and reference links in publications are now inactive.

This suggests a deliberate effort to portray Hamas as an organization with only good intentions. Right now, Hamas is heavily focused on the Palestinian cause, but if circumstances allowed, it would likely attempt to destabilize India as well.

Palestinians Openly Endorsing Hate and Attacks Against Hindus

In a video shared extensively online, a group of Palestinians are seen openly endorsing hate and attacks against Hindus. The speaker calls on Pakistan to attack the “filthy Hindus” to teach them a lesson for “oppressing Muslims”.

He says: “The only way to deal with the cow-worshipping Hindus is by eradicating them.”

Source: x.com/realMaalouf/status/1878901412425560331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

However, it’s a credit to Indians that despite this extreme hate, most are moderate in their stance, and do not endorse violence.

How India Should Deal with Hamas

Now that Hamas has openly aligned with Pakistani terrorists, the Indian government must take steps to curb its influence in India.

In December 2023, a Hamas leader virtually addressed a pro-Palestinian event in a Muslim-majority area of Kerala, raising serious concerns. Such events should never be allowed on Indian soil, as they carry the risk of radicalizing impressionable youth and promoting violence. The government must act decisively to prevent extremist narratives from gaining ground in India.

Source: indianexpress.com/article/india/former-hamas-chief-virtually-addresses-pro-palestine-rally-in-kerala-9004497/

Hamas should be immediately designated as a terrorist organization as a precautionary measure, rather than waiting for a threat to materialize. Banning it would also prevent Indians from glorifying a group that has openly aligned with Pakistani terrorists and poses a potential threat to India.

While people are free to sympathize with any cause, it should never come at the cost of national security.

Breaking the Cycle of Extremism in India

Today, I came across a news report from Kerala in The New Indian Express:

Source: newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Feb/04/cpm-admits-to-weakness-in-countering-bjps-growth-in-kerala

CPM mentions this about Islamist groups in the draft resolution:

Hindu extremists are using radical Muslim groups as fodder to fuel hatred between communities. But the reverse is also true—radical Muslim groups exploit the political climate to spread their own agenda. They feed off each other.

One side claims, “If Islamists stop, Hindu extremism will die down.”
The other side counters, “If Hindu extremists stop, Islamists will weaken.”

There’s no middle ground. How do we break this cycle? Who should compromise? The answer is—both.

The only way forward is to call out radical elements within your own community—those who discourage interfaith interactions, prevent you from celebrating others’ festivals, and push you away from the secular fabric of the country. Peaceful coexistence is the only solution.

However, I mostly see this self-criticism coming from the Hindu community. Not everyone supports right-wing politics, a Hindu Rashtra, or extremist activities, and many Hindus actively speak out against radicalism within their own circles. But the same level of criticism isn’t visible in other communities. At least 95% of the Muslims I know have never condemned extremism within their own community, but they are very vocal about Hindu extremism. If only one side is willing to challenge its radicals, how can we truly achieve peaceful coexistence in a secular, democratic nation like India?

I feel this silence comes from fear—fear of being ostracized by their own community. In Kerala, the Muslim League openly stated that the hijab is not a choice for Muslim women; it is mandatory. When a journalist asked, “What if someone doesn’t want to wear it?” the leader reaffirmed, “If she’s a Muslim, we advise her to wear it.” There was no room for choice. Yet, despite often advocating for personal freedom, there was no backlash from within the Muslim community against this statement. This silence is unsettling. It makes people wonder—“If they won’t even speak up for their own freedom of choice, how can we expect them to stand up for ours?”

India is a secular nation, and preserving this secularism requires protecting religious freedom. When prominent leaders impose strict regulations on women, silence is not an option—it is a time to question them and hold them accountable. If not now, then when? Waiting until things spiral out of control will only make it harder to reclaim lost freedoms.