Kanathil Jameela, the sitting CPI(M) MLA from Koyilandy, passed away today at age 59.
In a tragic development, Kanathil Jameela, the sitting CPI(M) MLA from Koyilandy, died on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode after battling cancer. She was 59. The news led to an immediate wave of sorrow, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan calling her a “spirited and cheerful” presence in state politics and the women’s movement.
Kanathil Jameela was a well-known Indian politician and social worker from the CPI(M). She represented the Koyilandy constituency in the Kerala Assembly from May 2021 until her early passing. She was also celebrated as the first woman MLA from Kerala’s Muslim Mappila community, a major milestone for representation. CM Vijayan said her dedicated work strengthened the state’s model of decentralised governance.
Spanning over thirty years, Jameela’s political career was rooted in strong grassroots work. She began in 1995 as President of the Thalakulathoor Grama Panchayat and then went on to head the Chelannur Block Panchayat and the Kozhikode District Panchayat for two terms. Her long local service opened the path for her election as the MLA from Koyilandy in 2021.
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Kanathil Jameela was a devout Muslim who belonged to the Mappila community of North Kerala's Malabar region. Her identity was deeply shaped by her faith and community roots. Her win was historic because she was the first female MLA from the Muslim community in Malabar, a breakthrough that encouraged many in her community.
Beyond politics, Jameela was a devoted family woman. She was married to Abdurahiman Kanathil, and together they had two children: a son named Ayreej Rahman and a daughter named Anooja Sohaib. She was the daughter of T. K. Ali and T. K. Mariam. Her family provided steadfast support throughout her long career in public service.
In accordance with electoral transparency, Jameela publicly declared her assets during the 2021 assembly elections. Her sworn affidavit listed her total net worth at approximately ₹1.90 crore (around 19 million Indian rupees). This figure represents her declared assets and liabilities at the time and forms the primary basis of her publicly known financial standing.
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The passing of Kanathil Jameela closes an important era of grassroots leadership in Kerala. The Chief Minister highlighted how her work strengthened the women’s movement and improved decentralised governance. She is honoured as both a political pathbreaker and a compassionate leader who genuinely helped her community.
