'Recorded Video': Kerala CM's Comment Seems To Downplay Hamas Leaders' Virtual Address At Pro-Palestine Rally, Sparking Outrage

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan responded to comments made by Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and the BJP about former Hamas chief's virtual address at an event in Malappuram.

Vijayan stated on Monday that the BJP's attempts to file cases against people for supporting Palestine would not be successful in Kerala.

“This is not going to happen here [in Kerala]. We and our country have always been with the Palestinian people,” Vijayan said.

The Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, organized an event on Friday that featured a virtual address by Khaled Mashal, the former head of Hamas. The BJP has called for an investigation into the rally.

“It is said that a Palestinian fighter had addressed that rally. What I understand is that it was a recorded video. Normally, when Jamaat-e-Islami or any other organisation seeks permission for meetings, police usually give sanction. Such permission was given to this meeting also,” Vijayan said of the event, IE reported.

“In this meeting, if something happened that should not have taken place, police will examine it and will do the needful,” he said.

Mashal's speech in Kerala created a stir, leading the BJP to criticise not only the event organizers but also the Left and Congress parties.

Meanwhile, BJP chief J P Nadda, who was on a visit to Kerala, slammed the Pinarayi government for its soft approach towards radical forces.

"A few days back, a leader of Hamas joined a rally in Malappuram virtually and he was talking openly about Hamas and this govt was a silent spectator. You are bringing a bad name to the God's own country. The Pinarayi govt is soft towards radical forces," he said.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar voiced criticism against the Congress and the ruling CPI(M) in the state, accusing them of practicing "appeasement politics".

He held these parties responsible for inviting the Hamas leader, Mashal, to Kerala and claims that his address aimed to promote hatred and incite "jihad".

Quoting former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chandrasekhar said: “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours. You know, eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard.”

K Surendran, the State BJP chief, also the Left and Congress regarding Mashal's address and demanded an investigation into the incident.