A few months into governance in Keralam, the Indian Union Muslim League now wants the creation of three districts from Muslim-dominated Malappuram. The league has been demanding bifurcation of Malappuram for long but is now seeking trifurcation, much to the chagrin of many.
For long IUML, a very close ally of Congress and part of the ruling United Democratic Front, has been demanding the bifurcation of Malappuram, a district in Keralam. As per 2011 census, muslims make up 71 per cent of the district’s entire population.
Interestingly, IUML state general secretary PMA Salam has now sought creation of three districts from Malappuram. In other words, the demand has been raised from two to three.
Besides IUML, Kerala Muslim Jamaat, SDPI, and the Samastha Kanthapuram faction & other muslim organisation have been for long demanding that Malappuram be divided into two districts, with some new areas also being added to the proposed districts. They argue that most of these additional areas could be carved out of the neighbouring Palakkad district.
There is no doubt that Malappuram district is very populous, and today its estimated population stands at 47 lakhs. But what is the reasoning behind this demand ? They argue that Malappuram is facing severe administrative pressure. The workload on revenue offices, taluk administrations, and district-level institutions is far higher than normal. They argue the district has become too large and administratively difficult to manage, and therefore it’s division is the only practical solution.
But many argue as to whether it is genuinely an issue of administrative efficiency. Some certainly see it as a strategy to consolidate political and demographic influence in a more organised form.
Interestingly, the Congress-led UDF government, shortly after taking over few months back, had hinted at accepting IUML’s demand for bifurcation of Malappuram. Interestingly, though Congress is trying to portray that not just Malappuram but several new districts will be created in the state. But in reality it is IUML agenda which, congress wants to take further.
As per reliable estimates, the Muslim population is rising in Keralam while Hindus and Christians both are witnessing a decline. VD Satheesan led UDF government in Keralam a day back has announced that a delimitation commission will be set up soon to study the formation of new districts.
