Kerala: Former NDA Candidate’s Hate Speech Sparks Uproar, Complaint Filed
A complaint has been filed with the Deputy Superintendent of Police of Kerala’s Kayamkulam Sub-Division after a purported video of hate speech featuring a former NDA candidate surfaced from the area. Kerala Police officials confirmed to Timeline that a complaint has been lodged, and a case will be taken up after reviewing the video’s content. Both the complainant and Pradeep Lal, who appears in the video, have been summoned to the DySP office this evening (Saturday) in connection with the video.
Pradeep Lal, a local leader of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) and the NDA candidate in Kayamkulam during the 2021 Assembly elections, allegedly stated in his speech that Muslims are the enemies of Ezhavas. Pradeep’s remarks were made while addressing a meeting held in preparation for an upcoming SNDP event.
In the video, which was recorded inside a house with women and children present, Pradeep pointed out that Kayamkulam is a place where communal riots have occurred, specifically between Ezhavas and Muslims. “Kayamkulam is a place where conflict can break out at any moment. We need to strengthen our organizational capacity here. A brother from the Muslim community asked me for the route map of our procession. They want to collaborate because they recognize the strength of our organization. Everyone must participate in the procession scheduled for August 20. This is a struggle for our survival,” he said.
“When riots occurred in the past, the police were neutral and managed to quell them. If a riot breaks out today, the Muslim police officers will take ‘their’ side. We won’t get justice. You might wonder why I am speaking only against Muslims. They are the ones strongly working against us,” he added.
Pradeep also mentioned that SNDP has encroached on land in Kayamkulam, claiming that the government has not handed over the encroached land. “When people of all religions encroached on land, the SNDP also took over some. Christians encroached on land in front of the Kayamkulam Police Station. Cheravally Orphanage is on government land. We also grabbed land at that time, but we haven’t been able to register that yet,” he said in the viral video.
Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), political wing of SNDP, is part of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Kerala. Pradeep Lal as BJDS candidate was polled 11,413 in last elections.
