With 26 cases, Malappuram files most cases against social media hatred after Kalamassery blasts
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Kochi: The Kerala Police announced the filing of 54 cases related to social media posts which amount to inciting communal hatred, including a case against the Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, after serial blasts at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Meet in Kerala’s Kalamassery.
The explosions, which occurred on October 29, have killed four and injured 41. Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to curb the spread of allegedly inflammatory content on social media; most of the posts have been found to be posted from fake profiles used to share provocative content.
The highest number of cases, 26 in total, were registered in the Malappuram district, followed by Ernakulam with 15 and Thiruvananthapuram with 5. Additional cases were reported in Thrissur city, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Palakkad, and Kozhikode Rural.
Law enforcement agencies have requested assistance from major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp, to trace the IP addresses of the fake profiles. The cyber cell in the state is working round the clock to identify and address the dissemination of potentially harmful content.
Earlier this week, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar faced legal action for his comments on the blasts. He was booked under Indian Penal Code Section 153A and Section 120 (o) of the Kerala Police Act, which pertain to promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, and causing nuisance and violation of public order.
Chandrasekhar's remarks on social media accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of protesting against Israel while terrorist group Hamas issued open calls for jihad, linking it to the attacks on innocent Christians.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala chief, K Surendran, criticized the action against Chandrasekhar, alleging it was aimed at supporting divisive forces with extremist views.
Meanwhile, on October 30, the police arrested Dominic Martin, the man who claimed responsibility for the blasts in Thrissur. Martin surrendered to authorities, citing his anger at the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, although the post was later deleted.