By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Former Kerala police chief’s T P Senkumar’s statement regarding Muslim population in Kerala drew ire from various corners, and now a senior IPS officer has come up with a different and encouraging tale about Muslim population in the state. K Sethuraman, who served as district police chief in the Muslim-majority district Malappuram, said in his Facebook post that increase in Muslim population will make the state better place to live in.
“What would happen if the population of Muslims increases in Kerala? As an IPS officer who served as the District Police Chief for four years in Malappuram District, I can say it will make Kerala a better place to live in every respect,” his Facebook post said.
In a recent interview given to a Malayalam periodical, Senkumar targeted Muslims commented on “growing Muslim population in Kerala”. “Of 100 births in the state, 42 are from Muslim community, which constitutes 27% of the population. The birth rate of Hindus, which constitutes 54% of the population is below 48.5%. The birth rate of Christians, who constitute 19% of the state’s population is 15%,” he said expressing his apprehension over demography changes.
Continuing his post, Sethuraman said communalism and casteism will be reduced if Muslim population goes up in the state.
“As police officers, we have travelled throughout the state and know people from every corner of the state. Everywhere I have come across only Hindu, Muslim, Nair, Ezhava, Christian, Dalit etc. But in Malappuram, one can find paccha Malayali (a genuine Malayali). Everyone is ready to help another. People are extremely law abiding, cordial and helpful”, his Facebook post reads.
Making reference to the eminent personalities in the community he hailed actor Mammootty, director Fazil and author Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
“Kerala is going to be enriched culturally. We need more people like Basheer,” he said.
He also hailed Kerala Muslim political leaders and said that the political culture of Muslims is a model for other minorities. “There are more than five crore Muslims in UP. It is undemocratic that not a single MP is there to represent them…In Kerala, Muslims are part of state building, thanks to mainstream politics. It is encompassing and liberal,” he said.
IUML leaders were given a special mention in the post. “Anyone can go to Panakkad (residence of IUML state president), to Thangal(Hyderali Shihab Thangal) or Kunhalikutty Sahib (IUML national secretary) and feel at home,” he said. “Learn from Minister K.T Jaleel about best of Islam and get guided by his simplicity and commitment. Is there any non-Muslim more secular than former minister Aryadan Mohammed? I doubt. Young Muslim MLAs and politicians are highly promising. They are going to make not just Kerala, but India better. More Muslims means more Indians, more Malayalis, more investors and more consumers. Hence more development. Yusuf Ali has done more than any bureaucrat or diplomat in bringing investment and development in Kerala. The number of Muslim investors is too long to mention here. Without remittances from Islamic countries, Kerala would have been a basket case,” the post continues.
Meanwhile, Senkumar has drawn criticism from political leaders in the state. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who had come in support of the police officer while he was ousted from DGP’s post, said he can’t accept such views of Senkumar. Muslim Youth League has submitted a complaint to police chief Loknath Behera demanding action against Senkumar.