What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The explosions in Kalamassery, along with the subsequent remarks on social media by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and BJP representatives, have sparked a political clash between the Left-led state government and the central government.
In response to the recent blasts at a convention Centre in Kochi, the Kerala police have registered another case against the Union Minister. Additionally, BJP spokesperson Anil Antony is alleged to have made statements on social media that are seen as promoting hostility between various groups.
BIG BREAKING: Four blasts in Kerala
Four coordinated blasts rock Kerala at a Jehovah’s Witness meeting, in Kalamassery, where Jews live.
This comes barely 12 hours after Former #Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal surfaced in Kerala over a virtual address ata pro-Palestine rally in… pic.twitter.com/2xdfhLfXMQ
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 29, 2023
The police have invoked Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with an intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 120 (o) (causing nuisance and violation of public order through any means of communication) of the Kerala Police Act against both the leaders.
State BJP leadership has lashed out at the CPI(M) and CM Pinarayi Vijayan for targeting the Union Minister so as to appease a group of radical elements for vote bank politics.
READ MORE: Rajeev: Hamas sympathisers in Kerala due to CM; blast needs thorough probe
The action by the Pinarayi Vijayan government was aimed at “helping” and “encouraging” divisive forces and those with extremist views, said K Surendran, BJP state president.
“It indicates the double standards of the Pinarayi Vijayan government,” he said while addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram.
The BJP leader alleged that the government was not ready to register a case against the Islamist group that organised an event in Malappuram district of the state recently where a Hamas leader virtually addressed the gathering.
“The police are registering a case against a central minister who spoke out against the same. This (FIR) is a heinous decision based on vote bank politics. It is aimed at making political gains during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, senior CPI(M) sources say that the government is looking to pursue the case against the union minister and other BJP leaders and thus send a clear message to all those who are trying to destroy the communal harmony of the state.
The war of words between the BJP and CPI(M) leaders escalated further with CM Pinarayi Vijayan referring to Rajeev Chandrasekhar as a ‘poison’.
Leading to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the confrontation between the BJP and CPI(M) is set to escalate as per political analysts. BJP national president JP Nadda had recently led a political rally in the state capital demanding the resignation of CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Last Thursday, Kerala took its case to the Supreme Court, filing a complaint against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. The state government informed the court that the governor has been declining to approve the bills endorsed by the Assembly. In a matter of hours, the state BJP expressed its backing for the governor.
In the wake of recent events stemming from the Gaza conflict, left-wing parties, particularly the CPI(M), have strongly criticised the central government’s position on Israel. The CPI(M) has organised rallies in support of Hamas and in opposition to Israel. Additionally, 10 days ago, a Hamas leader was granted permission to host a virtual meeting in Malappuram.
Not only the Union Minister but Section 153(A) charges were also filed against BJP leader Anil Antony, Janam TV editor Anil Namibiar, and several other BJP officials.
