While reporting that PM Narendra Modi will skip his Kerala visit, the Malayala Manorama newspaper insulted our Prime Minister. They used a distorted photo that drew sharp protests from a broad section of society. The controversial news report was published in their Palakkad edition. 

Their hatred towards Hindus and the BJP is legendary, but the publication that claims to be the largest read newspaper hit a new low this time. Manorama used to act like the Congress mouthpiece, but during the past few years, they allegedly turned towards their anti-Bharat Islamist paymasters. The controversial article seems to be the confirmation.

Jihadis took it as an opportunity, drew pigs’ ears on the photo, and uploaded them on social media. There are allegations that this was precisely why Manorama published such a report. Many journalists admitted that Manorama has turned to yellow journalism. Officially, Manorama has not given any explanation for this abuse.

Even though there was a massive outcry on social media, other so-called mainstream media pretended not to notice the ugly incident. Citizens who contacted Manorama were asked to try and grasp the meaning of a caricature. Cartoons are well and good, but the media never use them along with the general news. 

The original controversial article appeared on June 19. Local BJP leaders, as usual, remained silent and failed to protest or register a formal complaint, but the citizens revolted. Latest heard, Manorama ‘suspended’ the Palakkad editor who indulged in this vile mischief.

Malayala Manorama Company Limited (MMCL)

Malayala Manorama is owned by Kottayam-based Malayala Manorama Company Limited (MMCL). It is a close-knit Christian family firm with a little over 100 family members holding shares. MMCL has around a dozen publications, television channels, and online websites, but 95% of its income comes from the Malayala Manorama newspaper.

Manorama became number one using primitive techniques. In the 1970s, Kozhikode-based Mathrubhumi was the most read newspaper in Kerala. The Manorama management allegedly orchestrated labour unrest that resulted in a Mathrubhumi shutdown that lasted for 75 days. 

Having created doubts in the readers’ minds about Mathrubhumi’s survival, Manorama played innocent. The Manorama management ordered their printing presses not to publish even one extra copy during that period. It was a mere ploy, they had done the damage and Manorama subscriptions began to rise. 

Manorama prints over 20 lakh newspaper daily but claims an absurd readership of 1.77 crores. A single newspaper being read by nine is unheard of. The average Keralite family consists of four or five members. 

What Manorma indulged in is a classic example of an ancient Roman mindset where they used hard power to subdue their enemies. Once they had looted and robbed their enemies of their freedom and possessions, the Romans would use soft power to reimburse the vanquished for their losses. The Greeks learned this the hard way and so did Mathrubhumi.

Unlike other newspapers that are subtle about their Modi/Bjp/Hindu hatred, Manorama is pretty open about its bias. Manorama’s trademark became sensationalizing the story through ‘eyewitness testimonies’ or fake news. They forget that today, anyone who continues to read a specific newspaper brand does so because he is attached to the style and font.

Madras Rubber Factory (MRF)

Incidentally, the same family owns the tyre company Madras Rubber Factory or MRF, as it is commonly known. For all their anti-Modi sentiment, a single MRF shares worth Rs.21,000/- in May 2014 went up to Rs.91,000/- in early 2021 and currently trades at Rs.68,000/-. Incidentally, for an Rs.15,000 cr turnover in 2021 and a net profit of Rs.1,394 cr, they paid a mere four cr in taxes. Reserves for 2020-2021 jumped from 10,650 cr to 12,000 cr.

This is the same company that pushed lawmakers to subsidize rubber plantations in the high ranges of Kerala. A family of 100 feudal lords cry foul and blame the central government when a rubber farmer commits suicide while holding on to such absurd wealth. The Manorama Newspaper is worth around Rs.150 crore and is merely a propaganda tool.