Kerala police file case against Sasikala for making 'hate' speech

Hindu Aikyavedi state president K.P. Sasikala

Kochi: The Kerala police have registered a case against Hindu Aikyavedi state president K.P. Sasikala for allegedly making a hate speech during a recent public meeting in Paravur.

The case was registered based on a complaint by Congress leader and Paravur MLA, V.D. Satheesan, who accused Sasikala of making 'hate speech' targeting secular writers.

While alleging that the Congress was behind the murder of noted journalist Gauri Lankesh, Sasikala, on Friday urged the secular writers to conduct mrityunjaya homas (a ritual meant to escape from untimely death) at Lord Shiva temples to save themselves from meeting a fate similar to that of Lankesh.

Apparently referring to allegations seeking to link the killing of Gauri to the BJP or people following its ideology, the prominent Hindutva leader in Kerala had said there was no need for them to indulge in such acts.

“The RSS keeps growing even as rivals oppose it. It did not have to commit such a murder. Hence, I tell the secular writers. You better visit the nearest lord Shiva temple and conduct a mrityunjaya homa. Otherwise you may also be victimized like Gauri,” she said.

She alleged that Congress in Karnataka was capitalizing on such issues and said the party 'was facing continuous electoral defeats'.

The BJP and the Hindu Aikyavedi alleged that the television channels aired a 'distorted version' of her speech.

Her speech, that went viral on social media, was also flayed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Speaking in Kannur on Sunday, Pinarayi, without naming Sasikala, said asking thinkers and writers to conduct 'mrityunjaya homa' was meant to disrupt the progress made by Kerala society.

(With inputs from PTI)

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