New Delhi, October 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday backed Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s condemnation of alleged communal remarks made by a YouTuber about a cafe in Fort Kochi, while cautioning the Chief Minister against what he termed “selective secularism” and calling for equal respect for all Malayalees, irrespective of their religion.
The Fort Kochi police have registered a case against vlogger Amrit Singh Darren over alleged communal remarks about Kashi Art Cafe in an Instagram video.
In a post on X, Chandrasekhar asserted that Kerala belongs to all Malayalees and that its people alone should determine the state’s present and future.
“Malayalees alone will decide the present & future of Keralam. Our food, our culture, our celebrations. Keralam is part of India. Every Malayalee is also an Indian,” he wrote.
Earlier, Satheesan had condemned the video, stating that communal hatred had no place in Kerala. He alleged that the video, posted by a vlogger from outside the state, sought to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray Kerala negatively and create divisions between communities.
The Chief Minister said a case had been registered and that the law would take its course.
Responding to Satheesan’s statement, Chandrasekhar said he agreed with the Chief Minister’s sentiments but argued that questions needed to be raised about what he described as an emerging political culture in Kerala.
The BJP leader questioned what he characterised as the glorification of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the defence of Hamas and its violence by some politicians, and political alliances involving the Congress and CPI(M) with organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, which he described as anti-secular and anti-constitutional.
Chandrasekhar also accused the Congress and CPI(M) of giving a “free pass” to people displaying what he called insensitive behaviour towards Kerala and its religious communities.
He argued that the cafe’s name, which refers to Kashi, a Hindu holy city, made the controversy particularly sensitive. He further posed a hypothetical question about how the Chief Minister might respond if a restaurant were named after a Muslim holy city and served pork.
The BJP chief also claimed that former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had abused and targeted him for speaking out against what he described as Hamas-led radicalisation efforts in Kerala.
Emphasising the importance of freedom of expression, Chandrasekhar referred to Article 19 of the Constitution, adding that the restrictions under Article 19(2) applied equally to every Indian.
He urged Satheesan to ensure equal sensitivity and respect for all Malayalees, including Hindus, Christians and Muslims, and called on him not to encourage what he described as anti-India or anti-Hindu insults, discourse or actions.
“Selective secularism and selective talk of communal harmony will make you like every other fake politician before you. And we will resist it. Fully. Every time,” Chandrasekhar said.
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