The final phase of the campaign for the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala was marred by accusations of communally coded social media messaging by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Congress. Both parties accused each other of using divisive tactics to split votes along religious lines, particularly targeting the Muslim electorate in Vadakara.
The controversy surrounding the use of the derogatory term „Kafir“ for non-Muslims in online messaging continued to resonate in Kerala society even after the elections were over. The CPI(M) initially accused the Congress of using this divisive trope to alienate Muslim voters from the LDF candidate K.K. Shailaja. On the other hand, the Congress claimed that the CPI(M) was trying to demonize their candidate, Shafi Parambil, to consolidate Hindu votes behind the CPI(M.
The situation escalated when the police revealed in the High Court that the divisive messaging had originated from Left social media handles allegedly supporting Ms. Shailaja. This revelation shifted the blame from the Congress to the CPI(M), leading to a heated exchange between the two parties. The Opposition, led by V.D. Satheesan, accused the CPI(M) of using communally divisive rhetoric and demanded that the police take action under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the responsible parties.
The police’s initial attempt to blame an IUML leader for the divisive messaging backfired, leading to further scrutiny of the CPI(M) and their alleged involvement. CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan tried to distance the party from the social media handles under investigation, claiming that they did not have the party’s approval.
The incident in Vadakara highlighted the growing influence of social media in political campaigns and the potential for misuse to incite communal tensions. It also underscored the need for stricter regulations and accountability in online political messaging to prevent the spread of hate speech and divisive tactics. As Kerala grapples with the aftermath of the contentious election, it serves as a cautionary tale for political parties and voters alike.