Kerala: Over 20 Cases Filed For Misleading Kalamassery Blasts News

An FIR has been filed against Malayalam news channel Reporter TV editor Sujaya Parvathy, for allegedly instigating religious rivalry through their report of the October 29 Kerala blasts. The case was filed on October 31 by Kalamassery resident Yasin Arafath, stating that the news channel attempted to malign members of a certain religious community by insinuating their involvement in the blasts.

The complainant accused Reporter TV of linking the blasts to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine. As per the report, the FIR has been filed under sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation, with intent to cause riot), and 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence) of the Indian Penal Code. Editor Parvathy reacted to the case in a broadcast on Reporter TV, claiming it was an attempt to disrupt media freedom, which the network would challenge legally.

25 Cases Filed For Propagating Hate

So far, nearly 25 cases have been filed against social media handles propagating communal hate concerning the prayer meet blasts. Cyberpolice have tracked down 89 social media handles that spread polarising communal content, and about 59 more such handles have already been taken down.

Two cases have been filed against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar for hate speech amidst the news of the blasts through his social media. Even BJP leaders Sandeep Warrier and Anil Antony were booked for the same reason. 

Dirty shameless appeasement politics by a discredited CM (and HM) @pinarayivijayan besieged by corruption charges

Sitting in Delhi and protesting against Israel , when in Kerala open calls by Terrorist Hamas for Jihad is causing attacks and bomb blasts on innocent christians https://t.co/MQH0ycZsqu

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) October 29, 2023

The cases that were booked under IPC sections 153, 153A, and Kerala Police Act 120(O) (causing nuisance and violation of public order) have caused a major political uproar in the State.

Shajan Skaria, media activist and editor of Marunadan Malayali, was also booked by Kerala MLA, P.V. Anvar, claiming baseless allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and causing tension between otherwise peaceful religious groups. Another media outlet Janam TV and editor Anil Nambiar have also been booked over similar allegations of misleading reporting.

Suggested reading: Kerala Prayer Blasts: Three Dead, Several Injured; 8 Things To Know