Kerala’s Hindu Aikya Vedi president booked for alleged anti-Muslim comments over Operation Toofan

The Thrikkakara police in Kochi have booked Hindu Aikya Vedi president R.V. Babu for allegedly making communally provocative and defamatory remarks against the Muslim community and its leaders over the Kerala Police’s anti-narcotic drive codenamed Operation Toofan.

The case was registered on Thursday based on a complaint filed by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Ashraf Vazhakkala. Mr. Babu made the alleged remarks in a social media post.

According to the FIR, Mr. Babu allegedly claimed that majority of the people involved in trafficking and peddling of drugs were from the minority community. He also accused the community of promoting terrorism.

Mr. Babu made the alleged remarks in response to the news of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala seeking the support of leaders from the minority community for the anti-narcotic drive.

According to the complainant, Mr. Babu allegedly made false and baseless comments defaming the community and its leaders.

The case has been registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Kerala Police Act for promoting enmity between different groups, outraging religious feelings, disseminating false information and causing public nuisance.

Mr. Babu will be summoned for questioning as part of the investigation, police sources said.