Kottayam, Kerala: Citing health complications, a magisterial court in Erattupetta granted bail to BJP leader PC George four days after he was remanded to 14 days of police custody for allegedly making hate speech against the Muslim community during a channel debate.

On Monday, George surrendered to the court after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The High Court, while dismissing the former MLA’s petition, had observed that granting bail in such a case would send the wrong message to society. The High Court also found that the politician has been repeatedly making communal statements against the Muslim community, noting that a politician like PC George, who has over 30 years of experience, does not deserve to continue as a political leader if he gets provoked so easily.

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The former seven-time Erattupetta MLA had approached the High Court after the Kottayam District Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in the case registered by the Erattupetta police.

During a live debate on Janam TV on January 5, George who joined the BJP prior to the 2024 general election, stated that “all Muslims in India are terrorists and communalists.” He also demanded Muslims migrate to Pakistan, adding that there is not a single Muslim who is not a terrorist. He was arguing against the Indian Union Muslim League panellist during the Malayalam debate on the channel.

The Muslim Youth League Municipal Committee filed the complaint, following which the police registered a first information report (FIR) against him under Sections 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity on religious, racial, or linguistic grounds) and 299 (malicious acts to outrage religious feelings) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), along with Section 120(o) (Powers to deal with unlawful assemblies) of the Kerala Police Act.