The last census has brought to light that a sixteenth of the three million strong population of Travancore are Muslims. To be precise, the Muslim population of Travancore is ten thousand short of two hundred thousand. And to state that the conditions of these Muslims are satisfactory at all levels will be far from the truth. The number of Travancore Muslims who have acquired education either in Malayalam or in English are far from few when compared to the educated Malayalis* belonging to other communities. It cannot but be stated that, though it has been a long time since Muslims have started settling down on the shores of Kerala, the reasons why they still lag behind other communities are lack of education and their disinterestedness in seeing their own people grow. It seems that the educated and the rich among the Muslims have either not realised that it is their duty to make every effort to better the conditions of Muslims in general or that they are negligent of their responsibilities towards the community despite being seized by the gravity of the situation. A moment’s reflection will make it clear to anybody that this is the backdrop of the Muslims being rendered unable to enjoy the rights and facilities normally given to other communities. The Muslims, who were bent on improving their lot by doing business and engaging in trade from the beginning, have now been left behind in those areas also. The reason for this is their negligence in acquiring timely education. If only the Muslims knew that no business or trade would prosper in these times unless their stakeholders try to acquire the right education and technical know-how needed to improve them. Their lying low without making any effort to look for the means for improving their business ventures is indeed a matter for concern… (Text missing) there are umpteen instances of their issues being ignored and given the go by.

The Travancore kings have been very kind and loving towards Muslims. Although the kings, out of their magnanimity, have by royal decrees tried to facilitate the development of Muslims, the community has remained stuck either on account of the government machinery showing no interest in implementing the orders or because Muslims themselves have remained apathetic to the moves of the government. Although there are many Muslims who pursue modern education now, instances of the government officials encouraging Muslims to acquire more education are far and few between. True, a handful of Muslims have been appointed to some miscellaneous positions. But since they are not wholeheartedly welcome in their jobs, there is little effort on their part to improve their educational levels. Since a government is duty bound to make efforts to bring forward those communities that lag behind in the matter of education, it goes without saying that it must encourage Muslims by appointing them to government jobs suitable to their qualifications in addition to helping them in other ways. But sadly there are not many among the ruling class who think along these lines. Muslims in the northern division are generally satisfied that Diwan Peshkar… [Text missing] there is a person who is heedful of matters connected with their wellbeing. Along with that, school inspector Mr. C. Krishna Pillai, postal superintendent Mr. Thiraviyam Pillai, and some others like them also assist Muslims in many ways. However, there are instances of their superior implementing authorities turning a blind eye to the overtures made by these lenient officials with regard to Muslims.

A Muslim youth was recently appointed to a government job by Mr. Sankara Menon. While doing so, he ordered that the youth be given an initial pay of Rs.20/-, which will prove to be an impetus to other Muslims for pursuing education. But the Diwan overruled this condition and ordered that the said youth should never be paid more than Rs.20/-. If this reported move is true, it can be gathered from this how deplorable the condition of Muslims is in the given circumstances. Now, the lawsuit involving a mosque at Chavara itself is an example of Muslims being pushed around by the government even in their religious affairs too. We know that on the strength of a favourable order obtained from the government secretariat, the functioning of the mosque has been interrupted, resulting in the Muslims being prevented from performing their daily rituals as usual, despite the Taluk authorities earlier crying foul over the case filed against the mosque by some vested interests.

When faced with situations like these, what do the Muslims in Travancore have to rely on to bring their grievances and demands to the attention of the government? Of late, people in different parts of India have begun to form councils and associations for the upliftment of Muslims. We are already seized of the fact that, taking into account a memorandum submitted by Mr. Agha Khan to the Viceroy of India, the government of India has begun to adopt measures intended to help Muslims in many ways. When Muslims in other countries succeed in solving their problems through the agency of properly organised associations, it is not at all befitting of the Muslims of Travancore to feign ignorance when the authorities blatantly shut down their mosque or refuse to give them their share in the pie of government jobs. How many Muslims have come forward to complain to the government about the case involving the mosque at Chavara? Some articles about the issue were published in this paper, which is being brought out as an organ representing the Muslim side of the affairs affecting our country. It was only after the editor of this paper wrote to the British Resident along with the copies of the articles published, inviting his attention to the matter, that the Resident Sahib ventured to seek clarification on the matter from the Diwan. Like this, how many grievances can be redressed through the intervention of a newspaper alone? Intervention by associations or councils is what is required in matters like this. If the Muslims of Travancore do not wake up to the fact that their just demands can be met by representing them to the authorities through proper channels, they will end up in a very sorry and deplorable state. In order to make the Muslims conscious of their rights and demands, it is necessary to establish such a council and it behooves upon the Muslims who already enjoy certain rights to work towards the formation of such a council. Svadesabhimani invites the attention of all Muslims to this need and requests all Muslims who read this paper to inform their brethren of the need for forming a Muslim council and encourage them to work towards forming one at the earliest. Inviting the responses of fellow Muslims on this, we are signing off for the moment, promising to write more about this next time.

Notes by the translator:

*refers to Keralites (individuals who speak Malayalam).