The state capital witnessed high drama as the police faced several tense moments to arrest former MLA PC George for his alleged hate speech against the Muslim community.
After Mr George was detained early in the morning from his residence at Erattupeta in Kottayam, a police convoy led by Fort Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) S Shaji took him to the Armed Reserve (AR) camp at Nandavanam in the capital city. Amid tight security at 10:10 am, the Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) leader arrived in his private vehicle after refusing to travel in a police jeep. He was accompanied by his son Sean George.
Mr George was booked under instructions State Police Chief Anil Kant for making provocative statements against the Muslim community during his speech at the Anantapuri Hindu Mahasammelan on April 29. The police had received around 20 complaints against the chief whip of the former government, including one from the Muslim Youth League.
The Fort Police has slapped sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc. and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts with intent to outrage religious feelings of any class) case) has been registered. Insult to your religion or religious beliefs of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He will be produced before a magistrate later in the day.
The police action was strongly objected to by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the government of adopting double standards of justice.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, who was denied entry to the AR camp to meet Mr. George, accused the government of arresting civilians for dissenting, while leaving the killers spotless. He also accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist). [CPI (M)] To support those indulging in “serious crimes”, including treason.
However, he brushed aside questions on the propriety of the controversial statements made by Mr. George at the Anantapuri Hindu Mahasammelan.
BJP state president K. Surendran accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of adopting a fascist line by ignoring the wrongdoings of Muslim extremist groups spreading communal poison. Senior leader Kummanam Rajasekharan also condemned the move.
Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan demanded legal action against the Sangh Parivar leaders at whose behest Mr George had allegedly made the controversial remarks. The Congress leader also expressed concern against the efforts made by extremist groups to destroy the secular harmony that exists in Kerala.
Reacting to the developments, Indian Union Muslim League national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty termed Mr George’s comments as a ‘war cry’, aimed at destroying peace in the state. He accused the Sangh Parivar of bringing in a ‘communal strategy’ which is reportedly similar to that seen in various northern states. Condemning the speech, the CPI(M) had demanded a public apology from Mr. George.
The situation in the city remains tense and the police have deployed large teams in different parts in anticipation of riots. Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists also gathered outside the AR camp amid BJP’s threat of agitation against police action.
When Mr George was brought to the police camp, DYFI activists threw eggs and waved black flags. Some BJP supporters who stopped the convoy at Vattappara on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram wrapped a shawl on the politician.
A large army of police personnel also stood outside Mr. George’s residence in Erattupeta.