Thamarassery, Kerala : Muslim activist and FASA Foundation founder Abid Adivaram has been booked by the Kerala police after he criticised late communist stalwart V.S. Achuthanandan in a Facebook post. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), youth wing of the CPI(M), retaliated by putting up inflammatory posters outside Adivaram’s office, branding him a “terrorist” and accusing him of having “foreign terror links.”, reported the Reddit.
The controversy erupted following Adivaram’s social media post mourning Achuthanandan’s death. The post read: “V.S. departs after having taught Malayalis what a true communist is, and leaves behind enough reminders for the likes of Vellappally (Nateshan) and Yogi Adityanath to constantly reflect upon.”
While the tribute appeared neutral, it was interpreted by some as a veiled criticism of Achuthanandan’s past remarks, particularly those made in 2010 and 2015, which were seen by many as “Islamophobic.”
Soon after, DYFI members plastered posters outside the FASA Foundation office in Thamarassery—an organisation Adivaram established in memory of his late wife, Fathima Sajid. The posters accused Adivaram of making casteist remarks and insinuated links to extremist funding.
One poster read: “Recognise the extremist who posted a casteist message against Comrade V.S. Uncover the financial dealings hiding behind the veil of charity.”
Another stated: “No forgiveness for the extremist who insulted Comrade V.S.”
In response, Adivaram remarked, “One notice is enough to identify an organisation,” calling out what he described as political hypocrisy and religious profiling.
He added: “From E. Ahamed to Abid Adivaram, the communist conscience—from V.S. to DYFI in Thamarassery—sees Muslims as extremists. This is the very ideology I resist. You label every Muslim criticising the Home Department as a terrorist. That one poster of yours says everything I’ve ever tried to convey.”
An FIR has been registered at the Thamarassery police station based on a complaint by DYFI leader Adv. P.P. Sandeep. The complaint alleges that Adivaram spread false propaganda and tried to incite communal disharmony.
Adivaram, however, says he is yet to be informed which of his posts is considered defamatory: “Every post I wrote about V.S. is right here on my wall. Let the public judge.”
This incident has sparked intense debate over free speech, political retaliation, and communal labelling in Kerala’s political landscape.
