Ex-MLA PC George Gets Bail In Kerala Hate Speech Case Hours After Arrest

Senior Kerala politician P.C George, who was arrested by the police for his communal remarks against the Muslim community, has been granted bail by a Judicial Magistrate today. The Police had registered a case against George on Saturday alleging that his speech promoted religious hatred and booked him initially under non-bailable Section 153A of IPC (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion). They took suo motu action against the former legislator under the directions of the State Police Chief.On reaching Thiruvananthapuram, an additional charge under Section 295 A (deliberate and malicious act, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) was also slapped on him.Thereby, PC George was taken into custody from his residence at Erattupetta earlier today and brought to the Armed Reserve Police Camp at Thiruvananthapuram before noon. He was produced at the residence of the Judicial First Class Magistrate a few hours ago on account of today being a public holiday. The Magistrate released him on bail subject to strict conditions including that he shall not influence witnesses, interfere with the investigation, make any hate speeches or get involved in any controversies. The case pertains to a speech delivered at a programme organised as part of the ongoing Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelan on Friday, where he alleged that tea adulterated with drugs inducing impotence was sold to non-Muslims in Muslim-run restaurants to turn people infertile in a bid to seize control of the country."In their (Muslim) hotels, if what I've heard is true, they add drugs in the tea to make people impotent. They want to make your men and women infertile and then take over the entire country."The former MLA had also urged the audience to boycott institutions and restaurants run by Muslims. "Why didn't Yusuff Ali build a mall in Malappuram or Kozhikode, I had asked him directly once. Because he doesn't want money from Muslims, he wants money from you (Hindus)...Under no circumstances should you spend a single rupee on these institutions," he had also said in his speech. The 71-year-old politician, a four-time MLA and a Chief Whip of the UDF Government during the 2011-2016 term, had earlier created controversy when he urged non-Muslims to boycott businesses run by Muslims.After getting released on bail, George reportedly told the media that he is standing by his statements.

Ex-MLA PC George Gets Bail In Kerala Hate Speech Case Hours After Arrest

Hannah M Varghese

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