Protest march against R Balakrishna Pillai's hate speech

KOLLAM: The hate speech made by  Kerala Congress leader R. Balakrishna Pillai against  the Muslim and Christian communities the other day has evoked strong protests from various sections of society. The ‘Muslim Aikyavedi’ organised a protest march at Pathanapuram and Kottarakkara  on Monday.

Mr. Pillai,  while addressing the annual conference of NSS Karayogam at Kamukumcheri in Pathanapuram here said: “I stay in the party office when I am in  Thiruvananthapuram. For five times a day the ‘Azaan’ is heard which is a disturbance for me to sleep. The  loudspeakers of other devotional centres have to be  turned off while the Azaan is on,” he  said. 

“Earlier, the number of churches was less, but now there are churches everywhere,” he  added.   He also said if ten Muslims or Christians live together in a place, they will construct a mosque or a church there, which will affect the Hindu legacy. Commenting on the  entry of  women in Sabarimala, Mr. Pillai said if Muslim women asked for their right to enter mosques and the court dared to interfere,  there will be no more courts. 

The lands owned by temples like that in Kashi had  been encroached by Muslims to build mosques, he said. “The derogatory speech by Pillai might lead to communal violence which should be avoided. Strong action should be taken  against him for hurting the religious sentiments of a community,” said Kadakkal Abdul Azeez Maulavi, president of Kerala Muslim Jama-ath Federation.

“The police have  received a petition against the speech. The Punalur DySP has been asked to submit a report after inquiring into the issue. Action will be taken once the allegation is confirmed,” said Ajeetha Beegum, Kollam Rural SP. The supporters of Mr Pillai justified the speech saying the NSS meeting was held behind  closed doors.