Social and human rights activist Muhammed, widely known as Kadala Muhammed, a native of Calicut, passed away at the age of 79 on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to justice and resistance against state oppression.
The name “Kadala”, a Malayalam word for peanuts, was a reflection of his livelihood—selling peanuts on the streets of Kozhikode. But beyond his simple trade, Muhammed was a fierce advocate for the oppressed, dedicating his life to standing against injustice.
Muhammed, who was falsely implicated as a witness by the police in the Coimbatore blast case, endured brutal torture but never compromised his principles. His life, marked by struggle and resilience, was dedicated to the oppressed and marginalized.
Kadala Muhammed was initially framed as a witness by the police in the Coimbatore blast case, where authorities falsely claimed that he had knowledge of a conspiracy that took place in Kozhikode. A street vendor by occupation, he was forcibly taken by the Tamil Nadu police and subjected to severe torture in an attempt to extract false testimony. Despite facing inhuman beatings, Muhammed refused to testify against Abdunnasser Madani, a veteran Muslim leader and scholar who spent nearly a decade in jail under draconian charges as undertrial prisoner in the Coimbatore blast case before he was being acquitted in the case. Muhammed remained steadfast in his silence, leading to his removal from the witness list and further brutalization by the police.
His courage in the face of immense pressure was widely acknowledged. “Kadala Muhammed, a man of courage and integrity. Despite facing immense pressure, he stood firm in court, choosing truth over falsehood. His unwavering commitment to justice will be remembered with respect,” said Salahudeen Ayoobi, son of Abdunnasser Madani, in a statement to Maktoob.
After being acquitted in the Coimbatore blast case in 2007, Madani himself publicly acknowledged Muhammed’s courage: “You can go to Calicut and ask for Kadala Muhammed. He was once a Naxalite. They brutally beat him in the SIG office, tossing him around like a ball. He is still alive—you can ask him yourself. I have never met him, have no connection with him, and he is not a PDP member. The police subjected him to severe torture, demanding that he confess to what they wanted. But he refused. After relentless torture, they abandoned him at the Kerala border and ordered him to leave.”
Madani later recounted Muhammed’s ordeal at a public gathering, describing his immense resilience. While sharing the stage with Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at a public event at Shanghumugham beach, “I spoke about Kadala Muhammed in detail. The police tortured him because of me, but he never wavered. His courage was unmatched.”
Muhammed was more than a victim of police brutality; he was a revolutionary who dedicated his life to the struggle of the downtrodden. His activism spanned decades, and his presence was integral to Kozhikode’s political landscape.
“Kadala Muhammedka has passed away. That name may not be very familiar to the new generation. That man was synonymous with courage, sense of justice, and revolution,” wrote Muslim activist Razik Raheem in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Raheem, who himself spent years in jail under UAPA before being acquitted, remembered Muhammed as a fearless figure who refused police bribes and threats to testify against Madani. “Muhammedka was a man who did not waver despite having to endure severe torture. He was active in the frontlines of protests, always standing with the oppressed.”
Born in Vandoor, Malappuram, Muhammed moved to Kozhikode at the age of 15 in pursuit of a better future. He initially aspired to become a football player but was soon drawn into the harsh realities of working-class life. Over the years, he took on various jobs—carrying loads, pushing a goods trolley in Calicut Big Bazaar, selling fish on the beach, and trading peanuts in Mananchira.
Through his struggles, Muhammed became deeply involved in labor politics. He joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) and actively participated in union activities. His commitment to workers’ rights was evident when he protested against the lack of raincoats for early-morning newspaper distributors. When the leadership ignored his demands, he went on strike, refusing to distribute newspapers. This marked his disillusionment with the CPI, especially after the party supported the Emergency, leading him to sever ties with the organization.
The tumultuous political climate of the 1970s saw Muhammed gravitating towards Naxalism. He was drawn to the movement not just ideologically but through his deep admiration for the selfless commitment of its leaders. He immersed himself in Marxist-Leninist ideology, learning from the streets rather than textbooks. Muhammed was on the frontlines of protests, putting up posters, delivering supplies to imprisoned comrades, and sheltering those in danger.
His home became a refuge for revolutionaries, particularly those fleeing police persecution. Many Naxalites sought shelter under his care, and he would go to great lengths to ensure their safety. Even when facing severe financial strain, he borrowed money to support those in need. His commitment was such that the police, despite multiple attempts, failed to arrest anyone who took refuge in his home.
Muhammed’s political activism made him a constant target of the police. He was arrested multiple times and endured severe beatings for his participation in protests. He was once detained and tortured by the Kozhikode town police for resisting the eviction of footpath vendors from the beach. But none of this broke his spirit.
His most harrowing experience came when he was taken to a secret camp in Coimbatore by the Tamil Nadu ATS. There, he was brutally beaten for refusing to give false testimony against Madani. Yet, he remained steadfast, refusing to betray his principles even in the face of death.
Kadala Muhammed’s passing marks the end of an era in Kozhikode’s resistance politics. He was a familiar face in every protest, a guiding force for many, and an unwavering champion of justice. His funeral prayers were held at 1:30 pm at Kanthapuram Juma Masjid on Tuesday.
For those who walked the streets of Kozhikode with a political conscience, Muhammed was a legend. He was the man who handed out political pamphlets along with warm packets of peanuts. He was the laborer, the revolutionary, the protector of the persecuted, and the unwavering witness to truth. His life is a reminder that true strength lies not in power but in standing firm against injustice.
