BIG TV Debate Row: Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Aparna Kurup, Abdulla Basil Case

Police have registered a case against BIG TV journalist and news anchor Aparna Kurup over remarks she made during a television debate on controversial comments by Sunni scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, even as further proceedings in a separate case against Wisdom Islamic Organisation leader Abdulla Basil C.P. have been put on hold.

The controversy began with a BIG TV ‘Big Dialogue’ programme discussing Kanthapuram’s remarks on women’s participation in public life.

Kanthapuram had faced criticism after stating that women appearing on public platforms with unrelated men could lead to “great destruction” and arguing that women should stay away from such spaces.

During the programme, Aparna Kurup strongly criticised the remarks in her introductory statement.

Her comments subsequently triggered a backlash on social media, with some accusing her of making statements against Islam and Muslim religious leaders.

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Aparna Kurup later approached the police, alleging that she was subjected to intense cyberbullying and threats following the programme.

Following her complaint, the Kochi City Cyber Police registered a case against Abdulla Basil C.P., a leader associated with the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, over a social media post criticising Kurup and the television discussion.

According to police, Basil had shared a video containing portions of Kurup’s remarks along with the channel’s programme graphics. Kurup alleged that the post contributed to online attacks against her and that false content was circulated in a manner that threatened her safety and reputation.

Police also began tracking other social media users allegedly involved in issuing threats against the journalist.

The case against Basil, however, triggered political criticism. Several leaders, including IUML and UDF leaders, demanded that the case be withdrawn, arguing that criticism of a journalist or a television programme should not be criminalised.

The Home Department subsequently directed police to hold further proceedings in the case against Basil, following the political backlash.

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Meanwhile, a separate complaint was filed against Aparna Kurup by Abdul Hakeem B.M., a native of Kasaragod, alleging that her introductory remarks during the debate were derogatory towards Islam and hurt religious sentiments.

Based on the complaint, the Kochi City Cyber Police registered an FIR against her on September 7, 2026.

The FIR invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 192 relating to provocation intended to cause rioting, Section 299 concerning deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, Section 302 relating to wounding religious feelings and Section 353(2) concerning promotion of enmity.

Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act has also been invoked, while the FIR’s concluding portion reportedly refers to Section 351(1) relating to criminal intimidation.

The complaint alleges that Kurup’s remarks during the discussion could hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and potentially lead to communal tension.

The controversy had already escalated before the FIR against Aparna Kurup.

Following the backlash, BIG TV and Aparna Kurup issued an unconditional apology on September 1, stating that certain remarks made during the discussion should have been avoided and expressing regret if they had hurt the religious sentiments or beliefs of anyone.

However, the apology did not bring an end to the controversy.

Aparna Kurup later said that she continued to face online attacks and threats.

According to her account, fake social media profiles circulated her address and details of people living with her, while photographs of her family were also used in threatening messages.

She also reported receiving threats that referred to the 2010 attack on Malayalam professor T.J. Joseph.

Police had earlier registered a case based on Kurup’s complaint over the alleged threats and cyberbullying.

The cases have triggered political reactions across Kerala.

UDF leaders, including IUML leaders, came out in support of Basil and demanded that the case against him be withdrawn.

IUML state leaders also cautioned against attempts to exploit the controversy and called for restraint in political and social-media discussions.