KOZHIKODE: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan has branded the Malabar rebellion (Moplah rebellion) of 1921 as the first Jihadi massacre in the state. Talking to reporters after visiting the slain Chekannur Maulavi’s house as a part of his Janaraksha Yatra in Malappuram on Monday, he said that it was ridiculous to hail the massacre of the members of Hindu community as freedom struggle.
“If that was uprising against the British, why innocent people were killed and temples looted?” he asked. “If any successor of those who took part in the incidents gets pension, that should be given to the kin of those who were murdered and those who fled the place,” he urged. According to Mr Kummanam, even the relatives of CPM veteran E.M.S. Namboothirippad had to leave the place. He also asked the historians to tell the truth to the coming generations and save them from learning distorted facts.
Dr. M. Gangadharan, noted historian and author of the book ‘Malabar Rebellion 1921-’22,’ told DC that Mr Kummanam was only reiterating the BJP stand. “It was an uprising against the British. But it cannot be termed as freedom struggle. When the government offices and courts were attacked, there was anarchy and this triggered the looting of temples and killing people,” he said. According to him, anti-social elements had a field day when the rebellion took place in the Eranad and Valluvanad regions.
