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.

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