Kerala Prepares for Muslim Youth League State Conference: Three Days of Political Dialogue and Mass Mobilisation

ERNAKULAM, KERALA — The Indian state of Kerala is preparing to host the Muslim Youth League (MYL) State Conference in Ernakulam from 6 to 8 November 2026. The three-day event will feature political and intellectual discussions, delegates’ sessions, a large-scale youth march, and a concluding public gathering.

Held under the theme “Youth Correcting the Course in an Age of Injustice,” the conference comes amid significant political and social developments in India, where debates surrounding justice, democracy, pluralism, and the rights of marginalised communities continue to shape public discourse.

The gathering marks the Muslim Youth League’s first state-level conference in Ernakulam in 24 years.

Its organisation follows an extensive membership campaign conducted across Kerala, accompanied by the restructuring and renewal of organisational committees at the local, municipal, constituency, and district levels.

Opening Day: Fascism, Communalism and Political Power

The conference will officially begin on Friday, 6 November, at 3:00 p.m., with the ceremonial hoisting of the conference flag at Ernakulam Town Hall.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, President of the Muslim Youth League’s Kerala State Committee.

A political seminar entitled “Fascism, Communalism and Power: Towards Correcting the Course” will follow.

The seminar will be inaugurated by E. T. Mohammed Basheer, Member of Parliament and National Organising Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Among the scheduled speakers are M. Vijin, a political representative associated with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI); Congress leader Jinto John; Vishnu Mohan, a representative of the Revolutionary Youth Front (RYF); and Advocate Shibu Meeran, National General Secretary of the Muslim Youth League.

Members of the MYL State Executive Committee and representatives of the Ernakulam District Committee are also expected to attend.

Delegates’ Conference: Politics, Society and Constitutional Values

The second day, Saturday, 7 November, will be dedicated to the delegates’ conference.

Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the opening session at 10:00 a.m.

Participants will include members of the State Executive Committee and State Council, representatives of district executive committees, constituency-level officials, and registered delegates from Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

The session will be inaugurated by Dr M. K. Muneer, with Shweta Bhatt attending as a special guest.

P. M. A. Salam, Kerala State General Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, will deliver the keynote address, while T. A. Ahmed Kabeer, National Secretary of the organisation, will deliver a special address.

The programme will feature a series of discussions addressing contemporary political, social, and intellectual challenges.

Scheduled Sessions

11:30 a.m. — Contemporary India and the Marginalisation of the Other

A presentation by activist and scholar Dr T. S. Shyam Kumar, examining questions of exclusion, identity, and marginalisation in contemporary Indian society.

12:00 noon — Struggle and Poetry

A literary conversation with poet Ramesh Kavil, exploring the relationship between poetic expression and social resistance.

12:30 p.m. — Simultaneous Elections and Federalism

A discussion led by P. M. Sadiq Ali, Kerala State Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, addressing the implications of simultaneous elections for India’s federal political structure.

2:00 p.m. — A Call to Struggle

A political discussion featuring Advocate V. K. Faisal Babu, T. P. Ashraf Ali, and P. K. Navas.

2:30 p.m. — Generation Z in India

An interactive session with Danish Ali, Secretary of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, focusing on the political aspirations and civic engagement of India’s younger generation.

3:00 p.m. — Constitutional Values and Democratic Resistance

A discussion featuring former Supreme Court of India judge Justice Kurian Joseph, former Lok Sabha Secretary-General P. D. T. Achary, and IUML National Secretary and Member of Parliament Advocate Haris Beeran.

The session will examine constitutional principles, democratic institutions, and the role of civic resistance in safeguarding fundamental rights.

4:00 p.m. — Kerala of the Future

A discussion featuring K. M. Shaji, legislator Advocate N. Shamsudheen, P. K. Basheer, and Advocate V. E. Abdul Gafoor.

5:00 p.m. — Criticism and Civic Consciousness

A session featuring O. J. Janesh and Ramesh Pisharody, exploring the relationship between public criticism, political awareness, and civic responsibility.

6:00 p.m. — Voices of Victims in an Age of Injustice

A discussion featuring activist Asif Mujtaba and C. K. Zubair, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League.

Youth March and Mass Public Gathering in Kochi

The conference will conclude on Sunday, 8 November, with a large-scale youth march scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. near Kaloor Stadium.

The procession will be led by White Guard contingents before proceeding towards Marine Drive, where the concluding public meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.

According to the organisers, the gathering will express solidarity with protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, amid allegations raised by opposition groups concerning irregularities in electoral rolls.

The event will also provide a platform for criticism of policies pursued by the central government.

In a symbolic gesture, the organisers intend to transform Ernakulam’s Marine Drive into what they describe as “Kerala’s Jantar Mantar,” reflecting the spirit of public protest and democratic mobilisation associated with the prominent demonstration site in the national capital.

Organisers anticipate the participation of approximately 500,000 young people from across Kerala.

Special transportation arrangements are being coordinated through local organisational units to facilitate participation.

Prominent Political Leaders to Address the Closing Ceremony

The concluding public meeting will be inaugurated by Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, Kerala State President of the Indian Union Muslim League.

V. D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, is scheduled to attend as a chief guest.

Priyank Kharge, a minister in the Karnataka government, will deliver a major address.

Other scheduled speakers include P. K. Kunhalikutty, National General Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League; senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala; Member of Parliament E. T. Mohammed Basheer; Panakkad Syed Abbas Ali Shihab Thangal; Member of Parliament P. V. Abdul Wahab, National Treasurer of the IUML; Member of Parliament M. P. Abdussamad Samadani; K. P. A. Majeed; P. M. A. Salam; Dr M. K. Muneer; K. M. Shaji; Advocate N. Shamsudheen; P. K. Basheer; and Advocate V. E. Abdul Gafoor.

Additional participants are expected to include Panakkad Syed Rasheed Ali Shihab Thangal, Basheer Ali Shihab Thangal, Hameed Ali Shihab Thangal, and Mueen Ali Shihab Thangal, alongside state-level party leaders and members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

State Leadership Oversees Conference Preparations

The conference is being organised under the leadership of Muslim Youth League State President Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, State General Secretary P. K. Firos, and State Treasurer P. Ismail.

The organising team also includes Vice Presidents Mujeeb Kaderi, Faisal Bafaqi Thangal, Ashraf Edaneer, and K. A. Maheen.

State Secretaries C. K. Mohammed Ali, Advocate Nazeer Kariyara, Gafoor Kolakkatil, T. P. M. Jishan, and Fathima Thahiliya are also involved in coordinating conference activities.

The leadership recently outlined the conference programme during a press briefing attended by senior representatives of the Indian Union Muslim League and the Muslim Youth League.

Participants included P. M. A. Salam, Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, Advocate Haris Beeran, P. K. Firos, P. Ismail, Ashraf Edaneer, K. A. Maheen, C. K. Mohammed Ali, Gafoor Kolakkatil, and Fathima Thahiliya.

Beyond a Political Gathering

According to its organisers, the conference is intended to serve a purpose extending beyond the Muslim Youth League’s internal organisational activities.

It seeks to create a broader platform for examining India’s political and social future, strengthening youth participation in democratic processes, and encouraging public engagement with constitutional values.

Through a programme combining intellectual debate, political dialogue, organisational participation, and mass mobilisation, the conference aims to bring questions of justice, equality, democratic accountability, and social inclusion to the forefront of public discussion.

The three-day gathering is expected to highlight the role of young people in shaping political debate in Kerala and contributing to wider discussions about democracy and citizenship in contemporary India.