Kerala BJP leader PC George has been booked by the police for allegedly making a hate speech against Muslims during a discussion on Janam TV. The remarks have triggered widespread condemnation and demands for his immediate arrest, reports the Maktoob Media.
The Erattupetta Police registered the case on Friday, following a complaint from the Muslim Youth League Municipal Committee. The complaint accused George of making provocative statements capable of inciting religious hatred. Additionally, the Welfare Party of India filed 50 complaints across Kerala, supported by cadres of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), amplifying calls for action against the BJP leader.
During the televised discussion, George allegedly made controversial statements, including accusing Muslims of lacking a conscience and harbouring communal sentiments. He reportedly said, “If you are a Muslim then you are communal. It’s become like that. You don’t want India but Pakistan. Go to Pakistan.”
The police have charged George under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, and further legal proceedings are underway.
Amid growing backlash, George issued an apology on Facebook, stating: “I unconditionally retract my reply that all Muslims in India are terrorists, and I apologise to all my Muslim brothers and sisters who love this country who were hurt by it. However, I maintain that a small percentage among them harbour anti-national extremist thoughts, which I strongly oppose.”
The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former BJP leader and Congress member Sandeep Warrier, who remarked, “BJP was spreading poison in our society, but with the entry of PC George, it has become cyanide.”
This is not the first instance of George facing legal action over inflammatory statements. In April 2022, he was booked for hate speech at the Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelanam, followed by another case for a communally sensitive speech in Kochi later that year.
The incident has sparked a massive public outcry, with citizens and activists demanding George’s arrest and stricter measures to address hate speech. Many have called for greater accountability to protect communal harmony in the state.
