Hi. I am a mallu myself. Was born in Malapurram district in kerala, later moved to New Zealand =) I have been reading this thread for quite a while and there were some comments on the district itself and the 'Muslim problem.' ( I don't want to start a religious flame war here, not my intention).
Since I come from that part of the region, I thought I would add some details that would add some nuance to the whole discussion.
There was a report done on the BBC, where 50% of the Men from this district go to the gulf countries. Most of them Muslims. A significant proportion come back, with the more austere version of Islam in the Middle-East internalised with them. They insist their women cover up and all that.
But I want to state something that can be a little controversial. I think the biggest victims of wahhabism or radical islamisation are not Hindus, or Christians. Rather, they are Muslim women. In Malapurram especially, young Muslim girls, frequently aged 16 are yanked out from High school, and made to marry. The husband then usually leaves for the Gulf, only to return once every two years for two months or so. Mental depression among Muslim women in the district is disproportionately high, education levels are low compared to other groups.
it is known as the 'gulf syndrome.' I believe the most effective way to combat radicalisation within the Muslim community is to educate their women, through secondary and tertiary levels. Even though Kerala claims to be a 99% literate state, female participation in the tertiary level, and in the workplace is low. This is even more so for Muslim women.
That is why I disagree with some of the people here, Muslim women lose the most in terms of having their own dreams, individuality and career prospects if their men gets radicalised. Steps must be taken to implement this
Concentrating on Muslim women have also the benefit of raising a future muslim population that seeks academic achievement. There was a U.N. report that stated that the number one way to combat poverty and population growth is through Female education and empowerment.
I think however, measures like this would be met with disgust by conservative muslims and indifference from politically correct media or politicians. I just wanted to post this as some members advocates Hindutva as a reaction. I think that's wrong too.
I am not saying that Islam is evil. Chrisitianity in the 1500's was resistant to change. India as a whole, is abysmal when it comes to female rights. We must rectify that.
I hope I didn't offend anyone =)