Kerala Chief Minister is facing an investigation over remarks allegedly inciting violence, referred to as “life-saving” comments by some. The probe follows accusations that his statements encouraged unrest. The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with many calling for accountability.
Kochi: Nearly a year after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made controversial remarks, a court ordered an investigation into a complaint accusing him of inciting violence.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ernakulam directed the Station House Officer of Ernakulam Central Police Station to probe a complaint filed by District Congress Committee (DCC) President Muhammed Shiyas on Wednesday.
Shiyas’ complaint alleges that the Chief Minister made a “provocative and instigating speech” on November 21, 2023, during the state government’s public outreach tour, Nava Kerala Yatra.
He claimed that Vijayan’s remarks incited assaults on Congress activists protesting against the government. Shiyas also pointed out that the Chief Minister appeared to justify an attack on protesters by CPM and DYFI activists that took place on November 20, 2023, in Kalliassery, Kannur.
Terming the court order a significant blow to the Chief Minister’s stance, Shiyas said,
“Courts are the hope of common people against the anti-democratic stances of authoritarian rulers. Hence, I look at this order as a relief.”
In a complaint dated April 2, 2024, Shiyas accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of abetment and instigation of physical assault, citing a speech made by Vijayan in Kannur on November 21, 2023. Vijayan had referred to an attack by his party workers as a “life-saving act.”
According to Shiyas, this speech, made by a senior political leader and the chief minister holding the home portfolio, amounted to encouraging violence. He listed several instances of alleged assaults on Youth Congress and KSU protesters during the Nava Kerala Sadas, including incidents at Areekode on November 30, 2023, Erumalappady near Kothamangalam on December 10, and Kayamkulam on December 12. Shiyas claimed that despite filing complaints with local police, no action was taken due to fear of acting against the chief minister.
His complaint followed a Crime Branch report that cleared Vijayan’s security officials in a separate case of alleged assault during the Nava Kerala Yatra in Alappuzha last December.
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In the final report submitted to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Alappuzha, the Crime Branch (CB) stated that police officers Anil Kumar and Sandeep were merely fulfilling their professional duties by stopping two Youth Congress KSU members, Ajay Jewel Kuriakose and A D Thomas, from approaching the Chief Minister’s vehicle, which is protected under Z-plus security cover.
Expressing strong discontent with the police’s actions, KPCC President K Sudhakaran criticized the Crime Branch for submitting a report that cleared the Chief Minister’s gunman and security personnel, calling it an affront to the rule of law.
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