Police looking into minor boy’s provocative slogans at Kerala PFI rally

The case was registered under various sections including IPC 153-A (indulge in wanton vilification or attacks upon the religion).

The FIR has listed PFI district leaders Vandanam Nawas, Mujeeb and others as the alleged accused. The boy is not among those booked.

While the ruling CPI(M) did not comment on the incident, the Congress, BJP and the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) accused the government of going soft on extremist elements to protect their vote bank.

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Congress legislator and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said “extremist elements” have got the courage to make such provocative slogans from the “political tactics” played by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “He is appeasing majority fundamentalism as well as minority fundamentalism. Kerala is now facing the fallout of that politics known as social engineering. Those who have worked behind the slogans raised by the boy, should be brought to book,’’ Satheesan said.

Taking to Twitter, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote: “The video of this event & media reports have shocked Kerala. Hate speech & intimidating slogans are deplorable irrespective of the politics behind them or the religion of those using them. Opposing communalism means opposing the communalism of all sides.”

BJP state president K Surendran said Vijayan Government has “let loose the extremists eyeing their votes” at Thrikkakara by-election.

KCBC spokesperson Fr Jacob Palackappilly said the state is shocked over the slogans raised by the boy. “Government reluctance to take suo motu action on the issue is disturbing. Such communal appeasement does not augur well for the security of the country and future of the state, he said.

DYFI, the youth wing of CPI(M), in a statement said the slogans raised by the boy was part of PFI agenda to communally divide Kerala. “It is disturbing and serious that the mind of a minor boy has become a factory of hate campaigns against other religions. Kerala society should maintain vigil against such divisive forces,” it said.