The Muslim league, second biggest constituent of Kerala’s Congress-led ruling UDF, is witnessing a conflict between the conservative and progressive elements over the question of whether it is proper for party leaders including Ministers to light Nilavilakku, Kerala’s traditional lamp which is an inevitable article in Hindu religious rituals, at inaugurations and other such programmes.
The issue has always troubled the Muslim league, a party heavily dependent on several conservative Islamic organisations that are still unwilling to assimilate local cultural symbols considered as alien to Islam. A section in the party is opposing the idea of its Ministers lighting the Nilavilakku even at Government programmes organised by their own respective departments.
In a sharp response to Muslim league legislator KM Shaji’s much-appreciated statement in the Assembly a few days ago that there is nothing wrong in lighting the Nilavilakku at programmes that have nothing to do with worship, party’s national secretary ET Muhammad Basher MP on Sunday categorically stated that there was no change in the position against lighting the lamp.
“There is no change in the party’s stand that (our Ministers) should not light the Nilavilakku,” Basheer said. “Those who are doing this can do as they like but we don’t do that. We would like to continue with that precedent,” he said. In an indirect reference to Shaji’s statement, he said that some people were trying to trigger unnecessary controversies on the matter.
Muslim league’s local Administration Minister MK Muneer, seen as a progressive voice in the community, rejected Basheer’s argument, saying that the party had not taken a decision opposing or favouring lighting of Nilavilakku. “No party has adopted a resolution on lighting Nilavilakku. To say that the league should adopt one is parochial,” Muneer said.
Muneer agreed with Shaji’s stand saying that it is a personal choice to light the Nilavilakku or not. Several other Muslim league leaders like KNA Khader share the stand of Muneer and Shaji. The party’s State general secretary, KPA Majeed had said the other day that they had not taken a decision on the matter so far.
The Muslim league was pushed into the current dispute over Nilavilakku by leftist legislator KT Jaleel who challenged senior leaders like PK Kunhalikutty, Industries Minister, and VK Abdu Rabb, Education Minister to make their position clear on what Shaji had said. Both these leaders have refused to light Nilavilakku at official programmes. Observers are of the opinion that it will not be easy for the Muslim league to settle the issue of Nilavilakku.
“It is a big dilemma for them. If they decide to favour lighting of the Nilavilakku, it would enrage the conservatives in the party as well as in the supporting outfits. If it decides against it, they fear it would go against their claims of being secular,” said an ex-league leader.
The Muslim league is likely to take a decision on the matter at the meeting of its State working committee to be held in Kozhikode on August 2 but party leaders are still not certain about this. The party leadership is unhappy about some leaders for triggering the controversy over an issue which is crucial for the entire community.