Religion in Kerala is diverse. According to 2011 census of India figures,
54.73% of Kerala's population are Hindus, 26.56% are Muslims, 18.38% are
Christians, and the remaining 0.33% follow other religions or have no
religion. The historical legends regarding the origin of Kerala are Hindu
in nature. Kerala produced several saints and movements. Adi Shankara was a
religious philosopher who contributed to Hinduism and propagated the
philosophy of Advaita. Hindus represent the biggest religious group in all
districts except Malappuram, where they are outnumbered by Muslims. Various
tribal people in Kerala have retained the religious beliefs of their
ancestors. In comparison with the rest of India, Kerala experiences
relatively little sectarianism. Kerala produced several saints and
movements. Adi Shankara was a religious philosopher who contributed to
Hinduism and propagated the philosophy of Advaita. He was instrumental in
establishing four mathas at Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri and Jyotirmath.
Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was another religious figure who composed
Narayaniyam, a collection of verses in praise of the Hindu God Krishna.
Various practises of Hinduism are unique to Kerala. Worship of Shiva and
Vishnu is popular in Kerala. Lord Krishna is worshipped widely in all parts
of Kerala, Guruvayur being one of the most famous temples in the state.
Malayali Hindus also worship Bhagavathi as a form of Shakti. Almost every
village in Kerala has a Bhagavati Goddess. Hindus in Kerala also strongly
believe in power of snake gods and usually have sacred snake groves known
as Sarpa Kavu near to their houses.
Some of the most notable temples are:Thiruvananthapuram
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swami Temple,
Janardhanaswamy Temple, Vellayani Devi Temple, Pazhaya Sreekanteswaram
Temple, Ananthapura Lake Temple, Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Angadipuram
Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, Alathiyoor Hanuman Temple, Bhayankavu Bhagavathi
Temple, Kadampuzha Devi Temple, Keraladeshpuram Temple, Panniyur Sri
Varahamurthy Temple, Sukapuram Dakshinamoorthy Temple, Thirunavaya
Navamukunda Temple, Triprangode Siva Temple, Tali Shiva Temple,
Trikkandiyur Siva Temple, Thrissur Vadakkunnathan Temple, Guruvayur Temple,
Thriprayar Temple, Lokanarkavu Temple, Thirunelli Temple, Aranmula
Parthasarathy Temple, Chottanikkara Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple,
Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, Chettikulangara Devi Temple, Mannarasala
Temple, Chakkulathukavu Temple, Thiruvalla Sreevallabha Temple, Kaviyoor
Mahadevar Temple, Parumala Panayannarkavu Temple, Sree Poornathrayesa
Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Trikkur Mahadeva Temple, Manalarkavu
Devi Temple and Rajarajeshwara Temple. Temples in Kerala follow elaborate
rituals and traditionally only priests from the Nambudiri caste could be
appointed as priests in major temples. But in 2017 as per the state
government's decision, the priests from the historically backward caste
communities are now being appointed as priests.
Kerala's political landscape is heating up as parties vie for
minority votes, with the BJP emerging as a strong contender against the
Congress-led UDF and the CPM-led LDF. According to the 2011 Census, Muslims
and Christians together account for 44.9% of Kerala's population, making
their support crucial in the upcoming elections.
The intense focus on minority issues in Kerala's political arena is not
surprising, given that Muslims and Christians together constitute 44.9% of
the state's population, according to the 2011 Census. Political parties
believe this figure has only increased in recent years.
Significance of Minority Votes
The aggressive pursuit of minority issues is evident, as parties recognize
the importance of this voter segment.
In the larger Malabar region, which comprises eight constituencies from
Palakkad to Kasaragod, all seats have over 25% Muslim population. For
example, Kasaragod has approximately 30.8% Muslim population, Kannur has
around 26%, Vadakara has 31.2%, Kozhikode has 36.7%, Wayanad has 41%,
Malappuram has a staggering 68%, Ponnani has 62.4%, and Palakkad has 29.4%
Muslim population.
Christian Influence
When the Christian community is taken into consideration, 13 out of the
state's 20 seats have a minority population share of over 35%. Six seats in
the state have a Christian population share of over 20%, with the highest
being in Idukki at 41.8% and Pathanamthitta at 39.6%.
The state's electoral history shows that minority voting behavior can
significantly impact election outcomes. In the 2019 parliamentary
elections, the UDF won 19 out of 20 seats, driven by the consolidation of
Muslim and Christian votes. However, in the 2021 assembly elections, the
LDF tasted success in its minority outreach, securing 99 seats and reducing
the UDF to 41 seats.
Focus on Minority Concerns
Both the UDF and LDF are focusing on concerns about the Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the BJP's
promise of a uniform civil code. The Congress is positioning itself as the
primary opponent to the BJP, emphasizing its pan-India presence. Meanwhile,
the CPM is questioning the Congress's trustworthiness and highlighting
defections from Congress to BJP.
Christian Voting Patterns
In Kerala's political landscape, Christian voters have traditionally been a
guaranteed vote bank for the UDF. However, the absence of leaders of Oommen
Chandy's stature has made it challenging for the UDF to maintain its
relationship with church leaders. While many church denominations are
unhappy with the LDF government, it remains unclear if they will fully tilt
towards the UDF this time.
Kerala is home to over 50 lakh Syro-Malabar Catholics, with around 5-6 lakh
residing abroad. The strongholds of the church include Ernakulam,
Chalakkudy, Thrissur, Kottayam, Mavelikkara, and Pathanamthitta.
Additionally, certain pockets in Vadakara, Calicut, and Kannur have a
strong Christian presence. Latin Catholics, who are prominent in coastal
areas, have also raised concerns with the state government and the
opposition.
“Based on the response to our demands from either parties, we will take a
final decision,” said Sherry J Thomas, state president of Kerala Latin
Christian Association in TOI report. There are around 20 lakh Latin
Catholics and are a force to reckon with in the coastal areas of
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and Kochi.
Influence of Church Leaders
Leaders like the late Oommen Chandy had close ties with church leaders, but
the current UDF lacks leaders of similar stature to maintain these
relationships. The stance of various church denominations, including the
Syro-Malabar church and the Latin Catholics, could also influence voting
patterns.
Fr Antony Vadakkekara VC, the public relations officer of the Syro-Malabar
church, emphasized that the church does not take a political stand during
elections. He stated, "We only want all our members to exercise their
voting rights. They are free to decide who to vote for."
The church has highlighted several issues for Christian voters to consider,
including human-animal conflict, the fall in rubber prices, the LDF
government's liquor policy, the Centre's approach towards the farmers'
strike, backdoor appointments in public services, and the alleged
persecution of Christians in Manipur and other places.
Other Factors
The feud between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara church
is a decisive factor in constituencies like Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, and
Mavelikkara. While the Orthodox church has not taken a public stand, Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's recent speech favoring the Church Act during a
Jacobite church function in Kochi has stirred controversy.
Influence of Church Factions
The presence of various Pentecostal groups, especially in Pathanamthitta
and Mavelikkara, adds to the complexity of the electoral dynamics.
Similarly, the Mar Thoma church in Pathanamthitta and the CSI church in
Idukki are also influential denominations that could impact voting patterns.
Political Implications
These church feuds and denominational dynamics could have significant
political implications, as parties seek to align themselves with different
factions to secure votes. Understanding these nuances is crucial for
political parties vying for support in Kerala's diverse religious landscape.
As the election approaches, political parties in Kerala are intensifying
their efforts to secure minority votes, recognizing the significant impact
these votes can have on the election outcome.
MAPPILA MUSLIMS OF KERALA BY MILLER: This book is a study of the
Mappila Muslims living in the coastal area of Southwest India, who could
safely be referred to as the ‘unknown Muslims’. Not only have they been
neglected by the academic world and their neighbours - the Christians and
the Hindus, but in a very real sense the Mappilas are yet to discover
themselves. They have just begun to critically evaluate their relationship
with the society around them, and to consider rethinking traditional
Islamic tenets in terms of the contemporary situation. The confusion of the
determined Mappila effort to become a progressive community and at the same
time to remain true to orthodox Islam has made it difficult for observers
to visualize the Mappilas and their condition. To make the Mappilas known,
in terms of their significance as a changing Muslim community, is the goal
of this presentation. A great deal of the historical, cultural and
theological research documented in this volume attempts to stimulate the
disciplined study of the entire Mappila heritage.
Politicians of Kerala are only so dangerous than the muslims.
K R IRS 2825
On Fri, 1 Aug 2025 at 22:20, 'N Sekar' via KeralaIyers <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Answer to Will Kerala become a Muslim majority state by 2050? by Shubha
> Sreedharan
> https://www.quora.com/Will-Kerala-become-a-Muslim-majority-state-by-2050/answer/Shubha-Sreedharan?ch=15&oid=1477743724106791&share=6cb4a041&srid=zW5dG&target_type=answer
>
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