6 days ago
1
The State authorities has constituted a peculiar probe squad (SIT) to re-investigate the communally delicate ‘kafir screenshot controversy,’ which triggered a governmental tempest during the run signifier of the 2024 Lok Sabha predetermination successful the Vadakara constituency.
State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar connected Wednesday issued a directive appointing District Police Chief, Kozhikode Rural, T. Farash arsenic the investigating officer. He nominated Inspector General of Police, Kannur Range, Yathish Chandra arsenic the caput of the SIT.
The electoral conflict for Vadakara successful Kozhikode was marked by a spirited campaign, which saw the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Central Committee subordinate and erstwhile Health Minister K.K. Shailaja locked successful a fierce contention with Congress’ high-profile younker person Shafi Parambil.
When the run reached a tipping point, a WhatsApp screenshot hailing Mr. Parambil arsenic a “pious Muslim who offers namaz 5 times a day” appeared connected societal media groups. The contentious online messaging, which precipitated a tense standoff betwixt the opposing campaigns, portrayed Ms. Shailaja arsenic a ‘kafir’, an insulting word utilized to notation to non-Muslims and apostates.
The Vadakara constabulary investigated territory caput of the Muslim Students Federation Muhammad Kasim successful transportation with the defamatory post. However, the probe yielded nary grounds against Mr. Kasim and ended successful a dormant end. Notably, the probe stemmed from a ailment lodged by a section CPI(M) leader, P. Bhaskaran.
The constabulary aboriginal told the tribunal they recovered nary grounds to prosecute Mr. Kasim, and subsequently closed the investigation.
Subsequently, the Congress termed the connection a governmental hit-job orchestrated by the CPI(M) to disagreement the electorate connected spiritual lines arsenic portion of a Machiavellan gambit to consolidate Hindu votes successful Ms. Shailaja’s favour.
Notably, pro-Left Democratic Front societal media handles promoted the questionable screenshot online. The Congress accused the then CPI(M) legislator K.K. Lathika of “endorsing” the religiously schismatic screenshot connected her Facebook account, an allegation aboriginal denied by the leader.
The authorities constituted the SIT aft Indian Union Muslim League legislator from Kuttiyadi Parakkal Abdullah, MLA, petitioned Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to re-investigate the case. In his petition, Mr. Abdullah claimed that the constabulary nether the erstwhile LDF authorities had disregarded a High Court directive to analyse definite DYFI leaders successful transportation with the incident, including a forensic investigation of their mobile phones.
