Kerala HC demands action against organisers over minor’s hate slogans at PFI rally

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday intervened in the case where a minor boy was seen raising provocative slogans during a march organised by the Popular Front of India in coastal Alappuzha. The court referred the incident as unfortunate and pointed out that the rallies should not become platforms for hurling anything.

The court while considering the petition over the matter directed that strict action should be taken against the organizers of the rally. Responding to the direction, the state government informed the court that a case has been registered on the matter and the probe is on.

Meanwhile, police have identified the minor. According to the police, the boy is a native of Ernakulam’s Palluruthy. However, when police reached the location, the family members informed that the boy and his father were missing since two weeks.

In the FIR, based on a complaint filed by Vijayakumar P K, police have included various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Kerala Police Act and arraigned PFI Alappuzha district secretary Mujeeb and Navas as accused along with other identifiable persons.

A short video of the boy sitting on the shoulder of a person during the “Save the Republic” rally held by the PFI in Alappuzha on May 21 and raising provocative slogans had gone viral on social media.

Sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 295-A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class), 505 (1) (b) (act against the public tranquility), 505 (1) (c), 505 (2) and 506(criminal intimidation) of the IPC and 120 (o) of KP Act are included in the FIR.

The hate slogans has drawn flak from various quarters.

Erattupetta resident Anas was arrested and PFI district president Navas was taken to custody in connection with the incident.