HE was the most benign face of India’s secular politics. Perhaps Panakkad Syed Mohemmadali Shihab Thangal, 73, who became history on Saturday night, was the only Muslim political leader in India’s post-Independence history who was acknowledged across the country as the cornerstone of secular politics.
Though from the early seventies Thangal played the role of an anchor in keeping the United Democratic Front together, the country bowed in front of him post-Babri demolition when his mature stand ensured that the fallout didn’t rock a highly sensitive state like Kerala.
Thangal always kept away from the portals of power. But he was the first and last word in the era of coalition politics whose words were diktat for even mainstream parties like the Congress.
Though Thangal inherited his legacy, he used his social stature to uplift the Muslim population, especially the residents of Malabar region.
If the district of Malappuram is today considered as an educationally advanced zone, the credit goes to the vision of Thangal as a socio-political leader. He, through his party colleagues, ensured that the fruits of power reached even the most remote corner and enabled the obscure Muslim population to connect with the mainstream.
But even when the whole nation respected him as a sane element in Muslim politics who didn’t compromise with the pressure of minority politics, for the local population he was nothing less than a spiritual source of inspiration.
Thangal suggested solutions to domestic issues with the same ease as he handled state and national politics. For the orphaned mothers, he was the son; for the fragmented families he was the unifying spirit and for society he was a magnet that kept all socio-political elements together. In fact, the vacuum will be felt more by the population of Kerala’s northern districts for whom the soft-spoken man of Kudappanakkal tharavadu was a living prophet. Of course, the political space that he leaves behind too will remain empty as none can fill that void. For Thangal’s personality is beyond imitation.
