Alleged death threat to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Facebook sparks political row

An alleged death threat to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, posted from a Facebook profile named Teena Jose, has kicked up a political controversy in the State.

The profile identified the user as a nun and advocate. It was also mentioned that she had studied at the Government Law College in Ernakulam. The comment with the alleged death threat was in reply to a Facebook post by one Selton L D’souza, who had stated that Mr. Vijayan would campaign for the local body polls in Kerala.

The alleged comment referred to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, stating that “this world, which killed a good man like Rajiv Gandhi, can do that as well.”

The woman, who made the comment, was reportedly a former member of the Catholic religious order Congregation of the Mother of Carmel.

The nuns’ community has, however, distanced itself from the woman and the controversy by issuing a press release stating that her membership in the community was cancelled according to the canonical procedures way back on April 4, 2009.

She is presently not a part of the congregation, it said.

Minister condemns threat

Meanwhile, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty condemned the alleged threat. He stated that the statements were a challenge to the law of the land and democratic values.

“It was known from the media that she is a supporter of the Twenty20 political party and is campaigning for the party’s candidates in the local body polls. Twenty20 should clear its position about whether it subscribes to her views,” Mr. Sivankutty said in a release.

Sabu M. Jacob, chief coordinator of Twenty20, said the woman “has no official position” in the party. The statements made by her are her personal views, he added.