Booked for ‘hate speech’, Natesan claims his words were ‘distorted’

He claimed that his words had been distorted by political leaders and media in a manner to foment communal hatred.

Vellappally Natesan, hate speech, Vellappally Natesan hate speech, Natesan hate speech, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, nateshan auto driver, india news

General secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, Vellappally Natesan

A day after being booked over his alleged “hate speech”, the general secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, Vellappally Natesan, went into damage control mode and claimed that his words were being distorted by political leaders.

While referring to the government’s decision to give financial assistance to the family of an auto driver who died while trying to save two workers from a sewage canal in Kozhikode last week, Natesan had said the auto driver’s act was acknowledged because he was a Muslim.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Natesan said: “Noushad, who lost his life during his attempt to save the lives of two fellow beings, is a role model for the younger generation. I and my organisation SNDP Yogam are glad to know that the government had given assistance to his family… My intention was only to deplore the government’s failure to rush assistance to the family of a tribal youth who got electrocuted and another youth, an Army man, who died fighting terrorists.’’

He claimed that his words had been distorted by political leaders and media in a manner to foment communal hatred.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram