Muslim organisations force Kerala newspaper to apologise for ‘offensive’ comment on Prophet Muhammad

A screenshot of the front page of the Mathrubhumi newspaper on Thursday apologising for a purportedly offensive comment on Prophet Muhammad

Mathrubhumi, a leading Malayalam daily in Kerala, put out an apology on its front page today after it printed a purportedly offensive comment curated from social media on Prophet Muhammad in its Kozhikode and Thrissur editions on Wednesday.

The apology came after enraged Muslim organisations held protests outside the newspaper’s offices. Groups like the Popular Front of India (PFI) said the comment hurt the sentiments of the community.

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The newspaper in its apology said the comment, that was picked up from social media, was added as a reaction to the speech made by Justice Kemal Pasha on the topic ‘Law against domestic abuse’ at a seminar. The judge also faces heat from Muslim scholars for saying that Muslim women faced discrimination under the Muslim personal law.

“We understand the comments hurt the sentiments of followers. We apologise deeply for the error,” the newspaper said. Mathrubhumi also confirmed that it would take appropriate action against those responsible for the ‘careless’ mistake.

The newspaper management additionally requested the state government to take appropriate action against such comments that are posted on social media.