Indian Union Muslim League

Indian Union Muslim League
ladder
Headquarters	"QUAIDE MILLATH MANZIL", NO.36, MARAIKKAYAR LEBBAI STREET, MANNADY, CHENNAI-600 001, TAMILNADU.
Student wing	MSF
Youth wing	MYL
Women's wing	MWL
Labour wing	STU
Ideology	Islamism, Islamic democracy
International affiliation	KMCC
Seats in Lok Sabha	03
Election symbol
Website
http://www.indianunionmuslimleague.in
Party flag
Politics of India Political parties Elections

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) (Malayalam: ഇന്ത്യൻ യൂണിയൻ മുസ്ലിം ലീഗ്; Urdu: انڈین یونین مسلم لیگ) (Commonly referred as the League) is an Islamist political party in India. It is recognised by the Election Commission of India as a State Party in the state of Kerala, India. The chief support base of the party falls in Kerala. Note that since the party was initially formed in federal form, every State has got a State Committee and had separate registration and affiliated to the Central Committee of IUML. Though the name 'Indian Union Muslim League' is registered at the Electoral Commission, in Kerala the party was contesting elections as the 'Muslim League Kerala State Committee'(MLKSC). As on date both IUML the central committee and MLKSC, the State committee of Kerala have merged and now there is no federal set up in IUML and the party has been centralised throughout India as one party and one central committee, i.e. IUML.

Though League is a powerful pro-Muslim community oriented party, it has decided to remain their allegiance to Indian Union after Independence, when the original Muslim League went to Pakistan. The IUML is the only Pro-Muslim party, which declared its allegiance and loyalty to India in post-independent India. The party has strongholds mostly in malappuram district. They form the second largest party within UDF.

A particular faction of Muslims in Kerala is sometimes regarded as the supporters of Indian Union Muslim League. The leadership line of the faction and the party comes from a family line called Thangals who have Yemeni Arab origins. The current supreme leader of the faction, Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, is the president of Kerala state unit of Indian Union Muslim League. This unofficial support is cause of the repeating election victories of Indian Union Muslim League candidates from Muslim dense districts.

History

The Indian Union Muslim League was formed in Chennai on 10th March 1948 with the following aims and objectives.

To uphold, defend, maintain, and assist in upholding, defending and maintaining the independence, freedom and honor of the Indian Union and to work for and contribute towards the ever increasing strength, prosperity and happiness of the people. To secure and protect the rights and interests of the Muslims and other minorities in the state and To promote mutual understanding, goodwill, amity, cordiality, harmony and unity between the Muslims and every other community of India. The IUML has been working since its inception true to its objectives and upholds the ideals of secular democracy and social justice. It has a vision of safeguarding the cultural identity of the Muslims, making them capable of their share to nation building and to equip them to face the challenges of changing times with religious commitment and national outlook.

The IUML has been represented in Parliament right from 1952 to present day. In Kerala it has the illustrious record of leading the cabinet once. late C.H. Mohammed Koya, the charismatic leader of the party, became the Chief Minister of Kerala in 1979. In alliance with Indian National Congress and other secular parties Muslim League has been doing its best under the banner of United Democratic Front. Kerala shows the way to the Muslims of other parts of the Country. In Kerala under the able leadership of Syed Abdurahiman Bafakhy Thangal, K.M. Seethi Sahib; Panakkad P.M.S.A Pookoya Thangal and Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal it has become a political power nobody can ignore. The party in Kerala has the admirably brilliant record of participation in cabinets at various times in coalition Governments, holding portfolios like Education, Home, Industries, Public works, Local administration, Social welfare, Fisheries etc,.

During the beginning of seventies IUML had ministers in West Bengal also. Leading a contingent of seven MLAs in state assembly late A.K.A. Hassanussaman was the league representative in Ajoy Mukherji ministry. The party had representation in various legislative assemblies at various times. Apart from Kerala and West Bengal, IUML had MLAs in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Maharastra, Karanataka, UP, and Assam and there were members in Delhi Metropolitan Council and Mayors in various Municipal Corporations.

IUML stands firm in its commitment to secular democratic principles and envisages that the future of Muslims and other sections of the people depends on the sustainability of the democratic structure led by secular forces. In alliance with the secular democratic parties, IUML firmly believes that the identity and security of the community could be ensured. Time has proved that the decision of the IUML to align with progressive secular forces is a patriotic farsighted policy. IUML has always been in the forefront to protect the rights of minorities. It could reflect the sentiments of the Muslim community in the every aspect of the law making of our country. Protection of the Religious Places of worship Act, Divorced Muslim Women Protection Bill, Alighar Muslin University Bill, etc., are few to cite the telling influence league has exerted to safeguard the interest of the community.

The dawn of the new century has witnessed the ascendance of the IUML in national political scenario. As a constituent of United Progressive Alliance, IUML could muster the support of the minorities and other backward communities for UPA. IUML has representation in UPA Government since 2004. Mr. E. Ahamed who became the president of IUML following the demise of G.M.Banatwalla, is the Minister of State for Railways since 2009. He was the Minister of State for External Affairs in the first UPA government (2004-2009). In all respect this is a gesture of recognition of the services of IUML which is an eloquent testimony to the fact that IUML has a vital role to play in the secular consolidation of our country. Now the party has three members in Loksabha and one in Rajysaba.

IUML represents the sober, balanced views of the masses. It shuns all forms of extremism and violence and vehemently opposes communal outfits and divisive forces. It assumes itself a role to mobilize the political will of the community to strengthen the secular democratic fabric of our country.

It stands for social justice and inclusive governance. It demands for allocating quotas in governmental appointments to Muslims and other weaker sections proportionate to their population. It earnestly hopes that the Government will formulate plans to alleviate the pathetic conditions of the Muslims in the light of the findings of the Sachar Committee in its report. IUML understands that political empowerment of the down trodden is the need of the day.

The party participated in the ouster of the first Communist Party of India (CPI) government in Kerala in 1959. In 1960 the party took part in the formation of a coalition government in the state, consisting of the Indian National Congress, Praja Socialist Party and IUML. The government proved short lived. In the elections in Kerala in 1967 the party had entered a united front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). The other members of the front were CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Karshaka Thozhilali Party (Peasants and Workers Party), Kerala Socialist Party (KSP) and Samyukta Socialist Party. Muslim League had two ministers in the state government of that front. In 1969 the party left the CPI(M)-led government and participated in the formation of a new government, led by Communist Party of India leader Achutha Menon as Chief Minister, together with CPI, RSP, KSP and Kerala Congress.

After the 1970 elections Achyutha Menon became elected Chief Minister for the second time. Members of the governing coalition were Indian National Congress, IUML, RSP and PSP. The Menon government lasted until the downfall of the Indira Gandhi regime in 1977 (no state elections were held in this period). In the chaos that followed the IUML leader C.H. Mohammed Koya held the post of Chief Minister in 1979.

Disintegration ahead of the 1980 elections

When two political fronts, United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front, crystallized ahead of the 1980 elections two different sections of IUML landed up in opposite camps. A break-away faction, the All India Muslim League joined LDF and the Indian Union Muslim League joined UDF. The two groups reunited in 1985 under the name IUML and as members of UDF.

In 1987 IUML left UDF for a period.

Organizational structure

Muslim League is the only Muslim organization that maintains consistent presence in the Indian Parliament all along its history. Since independence, many organizations have come with tall claims to represent the Indian Muslim politics but most of them vanished failing to withstand the test of time. For the party, the way it traveled was not full of roses. It has struggled a lot to make a brighter past and present. Taking cue from past and present, there is the need to attune a stunning future. But, the political strategies of old mold, for sure, would not serve this purpose.

The party youth wing is called Muslim Youth League and their students wing is called Muslim Students Federation. The Party has a women's political wing too - it is called Muslim Women's League. In Kerala the party has a separate trade union organization, Swatantra Thozhilali Union (S.T.U., Independent Workers Union), and a peasants union, Swathanthra Karshaka Sangam (Independent Peasants Union), Lawyers Forum for Advocates and KMCC for expatriates of IUML supporters.

In Kerala the party has 5 ministers in the recent UDF government. Prof.K.M.Khader Mohideen is the national general Secretary of the party.[1] Apart from Kerala, the party also has some influence in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu the party is a member of Democratic Progressive Alliance. In the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 the party won two Parliament seats, E. Ahamed from Kerala and K. M. Kader Mohideen from Tamil Nadu (elected as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Vellore). In Election in 2009, Mr. E. Ahamed( Malappuram) and Mr E.T Muhammad Basheer (Ponnani), M.Abdur Rahman (Vellore, Tamil Nadu) won the seats and Mr E Ahamed became the Minister of State for External affairs.

After the death of Panakkad Sayeed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal on August 1, 2009, his brother Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal was appointed as the President of the Kerala state committee of the party. Actually the driven force or the master mind behind the political strength of kerala state Muslim league is the general secretary of the party Pandi Kadavath Kunjalikutty.The U.P.State Committee President of I.U.M.L. is Mr.Kausar Hayat Khan.

IUML In Tamilnadu

IUML Tamil Nadu state president is prof. K.M.Kader Mohideen Ex.M.P. He is also the National Gen.Secretary. The State General Secretary is the young and dynamic K.A.M.Mohammed Abubacker. Mr.M.Abdur Rehman is the sitting M.P in the lok sabha. Firebrand speaker A.K.Thashreef Jahan is the newly appointed convener for the women's league in Tamil Nadu.The party has Advocate V.Jeevagiridharan, a non Muslim, as it's State Secretary proving it's secular credentials.

Muslim League seats in Kerala assembly - 14 seats (1982), 15 (1987), 19 (1991), 13 (1996), 16 (2001), 7(2006), 20 (2011)

Following are the Ministers from IUML in Kerala

1. P K Kunhalikutty (Industry, IT, wakf,hajj)
2. Dr M.K Muneer (social welfare, panchayat)
3. V K Ebrahim Kunju (Public Works)
4. P K Abdu Rabb (Education)
5. Manjalamkuzhy Ali(Minority welfare Corporation, Municipality)

Party at the Central govt

E Ahamed- Minister of state for External affairs Other positions

1. E.T Muhammed Basheer MP- Member of Central Waqaf board & Member of parliamentary committee for social justice

Muslim youth league

It is the youth front of Muslim league.It deals with issues related to the youth of India.Youth league is one of the influential part keral youth Kerala State President:Mr. Sadiq Ali

Muslim Student Federation

Kerala State Muslim Students Federation its is the student front of Indian Union Muslim League,it has been working for more than fifty years organising the Muslim Students on the lines of democratic, secular and progressive ideals. MSF has the unique role of moulding the students in the Islamic way of life and imbibing them with the leadership qualities and skills to face the challenges of changing times. MSF upholds the vision of late Qaide Millath Mohammed Ismail Sahib who master-minded the political movement of the minorities of India for their honourable existence. MSF prepares the students to carry on the mission of making a vibrant community to participate in the nation building activities. As far as the Aligarh Muslim University is concerned,the I.U.M.L. has been one of the staunchest supporters of the restoration of its minority character.^{[citation needed]}

Former Member of Parliament

Rajya sabha: 1) B. V. Abdullah Koya: He was one of the most reputed leader in IUML. and he represents as a member of Rajya sabha more than 30 years. 2)P.V Abdul Wahab 3)M.P Abdussamad Samadani.

From Tamil nadu Its Rajya Sabha MPs were Ismail Sahib (1952-58), A.K.A Samad (1964-70,1970-76), Khaja Mohideen(1968-74,1974-80), A.K Refaye(1972-78)

In Fourth Lok Sabha S.M. Muhammed Sheriff was the MP from Ramanathapuram, Madras. Fondly known as "Madurai Sheriff Sahib", was the first elected Muslim League MP from the state of Tamil Nadu in independent India. In fifth Loksabha he was again elected from Periyakulam, Tamil nadu. In this fifth Loksabha Abu Taleb Chowdary was also elected from Murshidabad, West Bengal. In Seventh and Ninth loksabha A.K.A Abdul Samad was elected as MP from Vellore

External Links

1. Article on Keralas Political landscape

2. Official Website