In a move that has sparked widespread debate, the Kerala Police have filed a case against Pratheesh Vishwanath, a Hindu activist in Kerala and founder of the Hindu Seva Kendram. The case arises from Vishwanath’s vocal opposition to the opportunity given to Hamas leaders to speak in Kerala.
The Kerala Police have filed a case against me for opposing the opportunity given to Hamas leaders to speak in Kerala. It is perplexing and alarming that the police would target someone for merely criticizing a group widely recognized as a terrorist organization. Does this imply… pic.twitter.com/n37Q0M3j4y
— Pratheesh Viswanath (@pratheesh_Hind) July 2, 2024
In October 2023, Khaled Mashal, former Hamas chief, addressed an online rally in Malappuram, Kerala, organized by the Solidarity Youth Movement in support of Palestine. His speech, calling for global support for Palestinian fighters and criticizing Zionist actions, sparked controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president K. Surendran demanded legal action against the organizers, criticizing the Kerala State government for inaction and accusing them of glorifying Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries.
Shocking News From KERALA !!!
Leader of the dreaded terrórist group Hamas, Khaled Mashal, addressed the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Malappuram DIST Kerala…No wonder when Both the ruling communists and opposition including Congress party are openly opposing the Isreal… pic.twitter.com/vwG9ESpxrn
— Pratheesh Viswanath (@pratheesh_Hind) October 28, 2023
Hamas terroŕist Khaled Mashal, who recently addressed a rally in Kerala, meets Pakistani radical leader Maulana Fazal-ur- Rehman( deisel) in Qatar & draws an equivalence between Kashmir and Gaza…!!!
But for all the Hamas sympathizers in Kerala he is a freedom fighter and his… pic.twitter.com/SSM9hdfJ6U
— Pratheesh Viswanath (@pratheesh_Hind) November 10, 2023
The rally also featured slogans against Hindutva and Zionism (Uproot Bulldozer Hindutva Apartheid).
Several including Jamaat-e-Islami members and journalists, spoke at the event.
FIR
The First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Station states that the “offence” occurred on 30 October 2023, between 00:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs. The complaint was officially recorded in the police station’s general diary at 17:00 hrs the same day.
The FIR, numbered 0424/2023, was filed by P. P. Karunakaran from the Cyber Crime Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram City. The charges against Pratheesh are based on his criticism of the platform provided to Hamas leaders, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union. Vishwanath’s statements were seen as potentially inciting communal unrest, prompting the police to take preventive action.
Critics argue whether expressing dissent against a group like Hamas now a punishable offense in Kerala. It is also argued that the police action against Vishwanath sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech. They contend that criticizing a terrorist organization should not be equated with incitement to violence or communal unrest.
The police’s justification for the case—that Vishwanath’s comments might lead to communal riots—has led to further speculation. If expressing opposition to Hamas could incite such unrest, does this imply the presence of Hamas sympathizers or operatives in Kerala? This possibility is alarming and warrants a thorough investigation to ensure the security and peace of the region.
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