Encouraging divisive forces: BJP slams Kerala govt after Union Minister booked over remarks on blasts
The recent case registered against Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Kerala for allegedly promoting enmity between different groups has prompted strong reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, with Kerala Chief K Surendran condemning the action as an attempt to support and embolden divisive forces and those with extremist ideologies.
Surendran’s remarks underscore the party’s perception that the action taken by the Pinarayi Vijayan government represents a manifestation of double standards, suggesting a discrepancy in the treatment of political figures based on their affiliations and ideologies. The BJP’s assertion that it will confront the case against the central minister both politically and through legal means signals the party’s commitment to challenging what it sees as a politically motivated and unjust targeting of one of its key leaders.
The BJP’s strong stance on the matter, as articulated by Surendran, reflects the party’s determination to safeguard the reputation and integrity of its leaders and to counter what it deems as partisan targeting by the state government. As the situation unfolds, the BJP’s vocal opposition to the case underscores the significance of upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and political impartiality in the handling of legal proceedings involving public figures.
In relation to the minister’s recent remarks on social media about the Kochi blasts and a Hamas leader’s virtual speech at an event hosted by an Islamist organization in the state’s Malappuram district, the Kerala police independently filed a formal complaint.
According to a senior police officer in Kochi, the minister has been the subject of a formal complaint under section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act (causing nuisance and violation of public order) and section 153A of the IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, and residence).
In addition, Surendran attacked the Left administration and the police for failing to file a complaint against M V Govindan, the state secretary of the CPI(M), for calling the Kochi bombings a “terrorist act.”Additionally, he emphasized that no criminal charges had been brought against CPI(M) leader M Swaraj and IUML MLA M K Muneer for applauding the recent Hamas attack on Israel.
The BJP official further said that the government was not prepared to file a complaint against the Islamist organization that arranged a recent event in the state’s Malappuram district where a Hamas commander gave a virtual speech to the audience.
“However, they are filing a complaint against a central minister who expressed opposition to the same. This ruling (FIR) is a travesty of vote-bank politics. The intention behind it is to gain political advantage in the approaching Lok Sabha elections,” he said.
The BJP leader further asserted that the central minister’s petition was filed to curry favor with people who oppose the country rather than those who support it.
Following the disclosure of information on Sunday regarding bombings at a Jehovah’s Witness religious assembly in Kalamassery, close to this location, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was targeted by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Chandrasekhar on social media platform X.
“Depraved, sleazy appeasement politics by a disgraced chief minister (and head of state) @pinarayivijayan under attack for corruption allegations. While in Kerala, terrorist Hamas is openly calling for jihad, which is triggering attacks and bomb blasts on innocent Christians, people are sitting in Delhi and protesting against Israel,” the speaker had stated.
The BJP leader called Vijayan a “liar” after which the MoS retaliated by labeling the CM “extremely venomous” in a verbal war that transpired on Monday.
The chief minister further stated that lawsuits would be filed against anyone who makes statements that are illegal, regardless of whether they are state or central ministers.
The Trinamool Congress Southern Indian Chapter Convener Riva Tholoor Philip, Chandrasekhar, BJP National Secretary Anil K Antony, Govindan, former Ernakulam MP Sebastian Paul, and former BJP spokesperson Sandeep G Varier are all the targets of a complaint filed by the Congress with the State Police Chief regarding their alleged hate speech.
Sarin P., the convener of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee’s (KPCC) digital media cell, filed the allegations.
In order to maintain peace in the state, he has pursued the proper legal action against them.
The chief minister further stated that lawsuits would be filed against anyone who makes statements that are illegal, regardless of whether they are state or central ministers.
The explosions occurred in a convention center in Kalamassery, close to Kochi, where a Sunday prayer meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian religious organization that had its beginnings in the United States in the 1800s, was taking place.
A few hours later, Martin, claiming to be a split Jehovah’s Witness, turned himself in to authorities in the state’s Thrissur district, claiming to have been responsible for the numerous explosions.
At first, the explosions had claimed the life of one woman and left sixty injured, six of them severely.
A 53-year-old woman who was one of the six badly injured later passed away from her wounds.
As of Monday morning, three people had died in the event, including a 12-year-old girl who had 95% of her body burned.
