Kerala Governor condemns KT Jaleel's controversial Kashmir remark

Kozhikode: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday said he could never accept former Minister KT Jaleel's  controversial "Azad Kashmir" remark.

"Yes, I saw his comments on Kashmir. It was unfortunate and can never be condoned. I wondered whether it was intentional or came out of ignorance. But this is not the time to discuss such disgraceful opinions. This is the time to celebrate our democracy. How can anyone say something like that when the nation is feeling proud of its independence and national integrity," Khan said. He spoke to the media after participating in the parade at the Army camp at Pangode in Thiruvananthapuram.

The former State Minister had triggered a row on Friday by terming Jammu and Kashmir as ‘India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir’ and referring to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir' as 'Azad Kashmir'. Defending himself Jaleel said he had written Azad Kashmir in double inverted commas. In other words, Jaleel implied it was not his view.

The controversial references were in a relatively long post elaborating on the socio-political and historical aspects of Jammu and Kashmir.

In the post, he had said, “Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh form the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The part of Kashmir annexed to Pakistan is known as ‘Azad Kashmir’.

Jaleel withdrew his controversial Facebook post after the controversy erupted.

BJP, Cong attack Jaleel

BJP and Congress leaders have made a scathing attack on  K T Jaleel.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has alleged that  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is protecting Jaleel, who has taken up the slogan of the disruptive forces.

The Union Minister said the Kerala Assembly Speaker could not wash off his hands from the responsibility with regard to the controversial remark of Jaleel since the latter's visit to Kashmir was on behalf of an Assembly Committee. 

Opposition Leader in the Assembly VD Satheesan, on his part, wanted to know whether Jaleel made the "Azad Kashmir" remark, which no Indian uses, with the knowledge of the Chief Minister and the CPM. 

He demanded that if it was done deliberately, Jaleel should withdraw his remarks about Kashmir which are similar to those rendered by Pakistan. 

BJP national executive member P K Krishnadas demanded that a case should be registered against Jaleel for his anti-national utterances. He said that Jaleel has proved once again that the latter still acts as a leader of the outlawed organisation, SIMI.   

BJP State president K Surendran said that the refusal to take action against Jaleel has demonstrated the fact that the State Government is supporting the anti-national activities. He made it clear that the BJP would take legal recourse if the police are not registering a case against Jaleel.

Govindan says Jaleel remark not that of CPM

Local Body Minister and CPM state secretariat member M V Govindan has made it clear that the statement made by Jaleel on Kashmir is not that of the view of the CPM. 

The CPM has a clear stand on India and Kashmir. Any statement coming contrary to it is not the party's stand, he clarified.