Book Excerpt: Girl in The Scarlet Hijab By Suresh U Kumar

Set in 1980s Kerala, Girl in The Scarlet Hijab reclaims forgotten chapters of India’s independence struggle—highlighting pivotal moments like the Vaikom Satyagraha, the Hazaribagh Jailbreak, and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny—through a compelling, gender-aware lens.

At the heart of the novel is Rukhsana, the titular "girl in the scarlet hijab"—an enigmatic, fearless student leader. Her character is a powerful embodiment of feminine courage, agency, and intellect—standing up for justice in a country that is often hostile to women who look like her. She is not just a romantic interest but the tactical backbone of a youth-led movement for change.

Suresh, who spent his early years in Cochin and later built a successful career in the US, brings a deeply personal and researched perspective to this underrepresented era of Indian history. His storytelling both questions and complements mainstream historical narratives—and Rukhsana’s role brings a timely relevance to today’s conversations around representation, activism, and women's leadership.

Here's an excerpt from Girl in The Scarlet Hijab by Suresh U. Kumar

15 October 1981
M.G. Road, Cochin

Sashi Kumar held his breath. The moment he had feared all along had arrived. With his brother locked in a direct confrontation with the minister’s security forces, the stakes had escalated, just as his father had predicted. He watched as the protesters dispersed while Alexander approached Shibu, twirling his belt in his hands. Abdul came forward to hold the flag and helped Shibu to stand.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the stout figure of a silver-haired woman appeared between Alexander and Shibu. Dressed in an ill-fitting, light green chiffon sari, a mismatched blue blouse and hawai slippers, the lady held an open umbrella in one hand and a shopping bag filled with vegetables in the other. She walked unhurriedly, ignoring the deputy superintendent as she headed straight towards Shibu. Alexander moved to stop her but Mallika quickly stepped between them, halting him in his tracks.

The lady stopped just inches away from Shibu. ‘Mone, give me the flag,’ she demanded.

With difficulty, Shibu opened one eye. ‘Mummy, what are you doing here? Please step aside. You will get hurt,’ he pleaded.

The lady would have none of it. ‘Shibu, didn’t you hear me? I SAID I WANT TO HOLD THE FLAG!’ she repeated aloud, handing Shibu her bag and umbrella. She looked at Abdul, who hesitated. The boldness of Baby’s action reassured the protesters who had been sitting on the fence, and they began to reassemble, cheering her on.

Still rubbing his eyes, Murali took a few steps forward to stand beside Baby, Rukhsana following close behind. ‘The lady seems lost. She will get into trouble. Let us get her out of the way,’ she said to Murali.

Overhearing Rukhsana, the lady turned and said, ‘Molay, I am Shibu’s mother, Baby Velayudhan. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I want to hold the flag and shout out Shibu’s slogan.’ A faint smile lit up her face. ‘Now he is all grown up, but you know, when Shibu was a child, he learnt to shout the slogans in rhythm from my father, his muthachan,’ she said.

Baby wiped the raindrops off her forehead with the edge of her sari, glanced at Shibu and reached out to grab the flagpole from Abdul’s hands. Her jaw tightened as she turned to face Alexander and slowly raised the flag. Even in the rain, the letters on the flag—YDSK—were clearly visible. The protesters cheered and resumed chanting slogans, but the smile left Baby’s face as she locked eyes with Alexander.

Sashi was transfixed by the scene unfolding below, his mother’s small frame suddenly looming large. Glancing around, he noticed that his father was nowhere to be seen.

‘STEP BACK, OLD LADY!’ Alexander shouted.

‘OVER MY DEAD BODY!’ Baby shouted back, defiant.

She raised the flag higher and called out, ‘Inquilab zindabad!’ her voice carrying to the farthest ranks of the protesters.

The crowd roared back, ‘INQUILAB ZINDABAD!’

Baby raised her voice. ‘Zindabad! Zindabad! Vaikom Karnan zindabad!’ she shouted, her free fist punching the air.

‘ZINDABAD! ZINDABAD! VAIKOM KARNAN ZINDABAD!’ the crowd chanted.

Extracted with permission from Suresh U. Kumar's Girl in The Scarlet Hijab; published by Rupa Publications.