Case filed against CPM local leader for remarks causing hate

Muvattupuzha (Kerala): A case has been registered against the CPM leader who made a remark causing hate towards Muslims. MJ Francis, member of the Muvattupuzha Area Committee was booked as per a complaint lodged by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).

The comment in question in Facebook posted by Francis had said that Muslims were the section of the population with the worst kind of criminal nature. When the screenshot of the comment went viral on social media naturally creating public reactions, the party came out to denounce him in public. The Area Committee in a statement clarified what what Francis said did not represent the stand of the party.

Subsequently, Francis himself came out with an apology. He said that it was a mistake on his part to make such a comment amounting to characterising the entire Muslim religious community as criminals.

The comment was made below a post by one Shivasankaran who cited the remarks by former minister and left fellow-traveller KT Jaleel to the effect that Muslims had the biggest share of criminally bent people

Francis said that he offered an undiluted apology to every one who felt mentally hurt by his comment. He also clarified that he was not a follower of any religious faith and had neither affinity nor hate towards any particular religion; he did not consider any religion as being responsible for people turning criminals. It is those who use religion for political ends that spread spite towards other religions.

Of late, Marxist leaders at the local level in Kerala have been making such comments provoking religious communities much to the displeasure of higher echelons of the party, which the party was constrained to disparage in public.