Inquilab Zindabad literally meaning “Long Live the Revolution” is not merely a chant; it is the living heartbeat of resistance, an emblem of defiance, and a symbolic assertion of the people’s enduring struggle against oppression. More than a century old, the slogan first emerged as a call to overthrow colonial rule in India, but its resonance has never waned. In Kerala, a state with a unique socio-political and cultural landscape, Inquilab Zindabad has evolved into a multifaceted emblem, spanning revolutionary zeal, leftist activism, student mobilization, and cultural expression. Its journey from the streets of Delhi to the villages and campuses of Kerala is a testament to the enduring power of revolutionary words in shaping political consciousness.
Historical Origins: From Pen to Battlefield
The inception of Inquilab Zindabad can be traced to 1921, when Urdu poet-activist Maulana Hasrat Mohani coined the phrase as a literary and political instrument to inspire total independence from British rule. Mohani’s poetry and speeches aimed to awaken the conscience of a subjugated nation, articulating a vision of freedom and radical change.
However, it was the daring actions of Bhagat Singh and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) that cemented the slogan’s legendary status. During the infamous Central Assembly bombing in 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, not aiming to kill but to awaken political consciousness, defiantly shouted “Inquilab Zindabad!” in the corridors of power. Their voices, echoing through the chamber, became a clarion call for youth across India, signaling the urgent need to resist oppression, challenge authority, and strive for social justice. From that moment, the slogan became inseparable from revolutionary fervor, galvanizing a generation of activists and establishing a template for political resistance that would influence movements for decades.
Beyond acts of armed defiance, the slogan also permeated labor unions, peasant movements, and socialist circles across India. Red flags and socialist symbolism became inseparable companions to the chant, signaling that Inquilab Zindabad was no longer merely anti-colonial rhetoric, but a broader emblem of systemic change and grassroots empowerment.
Kerala’s Early Adoption: The Roots of Revolutionary Spirit
Kerala’s political and social milieu proved fertile ground for the slogan. During the late colonial period, the regions of Malabar, Travancore, and Cochin were marked by social reform movements, peasant unrest, and labor agitation. Radical activists in these regions eagerly adopted Inquilab Zindabad as a marker of solidarity with the national struggle and as a badge of local defiance.
The most poignant early example of the slogan’s resonance in Kerala comes from the Kayyur martyrs. Four young communists from Malabar, executed by the British in 1943, inscribed in their death-row letter: “Long live the Communist Party. Inquilab Zindabad.” This act symbolically linked the local anti-colonial struggle to the broader revolutionary ethos sweeping the subcontinent. By the time Kerala’s first Communist government assumed office in 1957, the slogan had even permeated ceremonial and official rhetoric, with ministers reportedly invoking “Inquilab Zindabad, Jai Kisan!” during oath-taking a striking testament to the slogan’s integration into formal political discourse.
Conversely, Congress-aligned groups favored slogans like “Quit India” or “Jai Hind”, setting the stage for the ideological alignment of Inquilab Zindabad with leftist politics. In this period, the slogan became more than a chant; it was an identity marker for Kerala’s radical political segments.
Post-Independence Politics: Cementing a Legacy
After India gained independence in 1947, Inquilab Zindabad did not fade into history; rather, it became a cornerstone of Kerala’s burgeoning leftist politics. Communist parties (CPI and CPI(M)) and their youth and student wings continued to employ the slogan in rallies, processions, and mobilizations, reinforcing its association with struggle against inequality and oppression. Workers in factories, laborers in ports, and peasants in fields all found in Inquilab Zindabad a voice for their demands and aspirations.
The slogan’s relevance endured through decades of socio-political upheaval. During nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, left-aligned demonstrators in Kerala prominently revived the chant, demonstrating its continued potency as a mobilizing tool. Moreover, student federations like the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) routinely incorporated the slogan in campus activism, highlighting its enduring appeal among youth. Annual May Day rallies in cities such as Thiruvananthapuram still frequently begin with Inquilab Zindabad, linking contemporary activism to a historical lineage of resistance.
Cultural Embedding: Literature, Film, and Music
Kerala’s cultural sphere has long reflected the slogan’s political weight. In literature, Malayalam writer O.V. Usha authored a short story titled “Inquilab Zindabad” in 1971, which was later adapted into a Malayalam film directed by K.S. Sethumadhavan. The film featured a song explicitly named after the slogan, with lyrics by Vayalar Ramavarma, embedding the revolutionary cry into popular imagination. In 1994, the Malayalam film Chief Minister K. R. Gouthami included a fiery chant of Inquilab Zindabad in its soundtrack, demonstrating that the slogan had evolved beyond politics into a symbol of cultural identity and collective memory.
Through literature, cinema, and music, Inquilab Zindabad has been portrayed as a dramatic and emotive emblem of resistance, social reform, and idealistic courage, helping successive generations connect with the revolutionary spirit of their predecessors.
Contemporary Controversies: Political Polarization and Public Debate
The slogan has not been without controversy. In March 2025, at the Kadakkal Devi temple in Kollam, a music program featuring revolutionary songs and CPM/DYFI insignia erupted in chants of “Inquilab Zindabad.” Opposition parties, including the Youth Congress and BJP, protested the use of political slogans in a religious setting, claiming it violated the sanctity of the temple festival. An FIR was filed noting that participants chanted “Inquilab Zindabad, DYFI Zindabad, CPI(M) Zindabad.”
For the Left, such usage represents the continued vitality of Kerala’s revolutionary heritage; for opponents, it epitomizes the imposition of militant rhetoric in civic or religious spaces. This episode underscores how the slogan has transformed into a symbol of contemporary political identity, one that carries both pride and provocation depending on perspective.
Student, Youth, and Grassroots Mobilization
Kerala’s youth and student movements continue to carry the torch of Inquilab Zindabad. Student federations and youth leagues frequently employ it in campaigns against educational inequities, communalism, and socio-economic injustice. From anti-CAA protests to demonstrations for better education policies, the slogan is omnipresent, embodying the energy, idealism, and radical commitment of Kerala’s younger generations.
Peasant and worker movements also maintain this connection. Strikes, land reform protests, and labor demonstrations consistently feature the slogan, reinforcing its status as a rallying cry for equality and social justice. Its enduring presence in mass mobilizations testifies to the slogan’s deep roots in Kerala’s political consciousness.
Evolution and Contemporary Relevance
While originally a slogan against colonial rule, Inquilab Zindabad has morphed into a broader emblem of dissent and protest. Today, it is invoked not only in support of leftist ideologies but also to signal solidarity with marginalized communities, protest against economic inequities, or criticize governmental policies.
Although the moral weight of the phrase has evolved no longer strictly a revolutionary anti-imperial declaration it remains symbolically potent. As historian Irfan Habib notes, “Inquilab Zindabad will stay relevant till people continue their struggle against diverse inequalities.” In Kerala, this relevance is evident in its spontaneous revival during significant political events, including the funerals of veteran leaders, street protests, and student mobilizations.
Conclusion: A Living, Breathing Symbol of Resistance
Inquilab Zindabad in Kerala exemplifies a rare duality: it is both a historical relic and a living call to action. Rooted in the anti-colonial struggle, it was embraced by communists, integrated into cultural narratives, and continues to inspire youth, students, workers, and citizens in contemporary Kerala. Its role transcends mere political rhetoric; it is a manifestation of ideological continuity, a voice for social justice, and a reminder that the revolution, in spirit, never truly dies it merely adapts to the needs of successive generations.
From the Kayyur martyrs to campus protests, from cultural adaptations to public controversies, Inquilab Zindabad remains a potent and multifaceted symbol, reflecting Kerala’s complex socio-political fabric. It is at once a historical tribute, a political instrument, and a cultural beacon a testament to the enduring human aspiration for justice, equality, and change.