Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – The fervent buzz of conversation was abruptly drowned out by a chorus of impassioned political chants echoing through the crowded auditorium. Shafi Parambil, a 41-year-old politician from the Indian National Congress, took center stage. In a fiery speech, he unleashed a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “Every vote counts and I need your unwavering support,” he declared, concluding his address. This scene, reminiscent of a typical campaign event, took an unexpected twist – it was unfolding in Sharjah, UAE, a staggering 2,800km (1,739 miles) away from Vadakara, the parliamentary seat in Kerala where Parambil is running.
Parambil is not alone in this unique campaign strategy. The Gulf region, home to over 2 million immigrants from Kerala, is witnessing a flurry of physical and virtual election campaigns. Candidates like Parambil are vying for the votes of expatriates, while community groups are launching initiatives to facilitate their return to India to cast their ballots. The Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the largest Indian diaspora organization in the Gulf with more than 700,000 members, is spearheading efforts to fly back thousands of expatriates to Kerala before the April 26 election.
Hassan Chalil, the Dubai chapter secretary of KMCC, revealed, “We have urged our members who were in Kerala for Eid al-Fitr holidays to stay back until after the election. Our campaign has received an overwhelming response, and we have bulk-booked flight tickets to ensure maximum participation.” These “vote flights” have already commenced, with members landing in various airports across Kerala. The last flight is scheduled to depart Dubai on April 25, with units in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait also arranging transportation for voters.
Muhammed Niyas, an electrician in Kuwait, expressed his eagerness to participate in the election after missing the last two. “This election will shape India’s future, and I want my country to remain secular,” he emphasized. The concerns over the Hindu nationalist agenda promoted by Modi and the BJP have galvanized many expatriates to make the journey back to Kerala to cast their votes.
The unique mobilization of the Kerala diaspora stands in stark contrast to the broader trend of low voter turnout among Indian expatriates. While only a fraction of the 13.4 million Indian citizens living abroad are registered to vote, the Kerala diaspora has been actively engaged in the democratic process. Community groups affiliated with different political parties have played a pivotal role in encouraging expatriates to return home and participate in elections.
The efforts of these organizations go beyond politics, extending to providing support for vulnerable migrants in times of need. Whether assisting with medical expenses, labor disputes, or repatriating the bodies of deceased migrants, these community groups serve as a vital lifeline for Kerala expatriates in the Gulf. The symbiotic relationship between expatriates and their homeland is further underscored by the financial support provided by expats for election campaigns in Kerala.
As the election fervor reaches a crescendo in Kerala, expatriates in the Gulf are making a concerted effort to exercise their constitutional rights and shape the future of their homeland. The influx of expatriate voters back to Kerala is not just a political statement but a poignant reunion with old friends and a rekindling of lost connections. The democratic spirit of Kerala transcends borders, bringing expatriates from afar back to their roots in a bid to safeguard the secular fabric of their nation.