Thiruvananthapuram | BJP National Executive member Kummanam Rajasekharan on Thursday demanded immediate legal action against Dalit activist Sunny M Kapikkad over allegedly derogatory remarks against Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa and Goddess Malikappurathamma.
The former Mizoram Governor said the remarks being circulated were "highly derogatory, provocative and amounted to an insult" to the religious beliefs of Kerala and the faith of crores of Ayyappa devotees.
"A person has the right to express an opinion on any subject. However, no one has the right, in the name of freedom of expression, to insult any religious belief, deities or womanhood," Rajasekharan said in a statement.
He said the use of sexually derogatory language with regard to Lord Ayyappa and Malikappurathamma could have serious consequences for Keralam's social atmosphere.
Rajasekharan said Kapikkad had earlier taken positions on the Sabarimala issue, including during the controversy over the entry of women into the temple in 2018.
"Against this backdrop, the remarks now coming out cannot be viewed merely as an isolated slip of the tongue," he said.
The BJP leader urged the Chief Minister to examine the full video of the alleged statement and its context and initiate legal action.
He also called for an inquiry into whether there was any organised attempt to create religious hatred or conflict among believers through such statements.
"It is the responsibility of the state police to examine whether the statement is an isolated incident or part of a continuing ideological campaign," he said.
Rajasekharan said the BJP would take all legal steps in the matter and file a complaint with the police seeking strong action in accordance with the law.
"Expressing an opinion against a belief and insulting a belief are two different things. Everyone should respect the boundary between criticism and insult," he said.
He urged the government to ensure that the law was applied equally to everyone and that the deities and beliefs of crores of devotees were not insulted in the name of freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, social media influencer Rahul Easwar said he had filed a complaint in person at the Sreekaryam police station against Kapikkad, after sending complaints in the morning to Chief Minister V D Satheesan, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and the state police chief.
He demanded Kapikkad's arrest and said he would also approach the court in the matter.
Easwar appealed to believers, irrespective of caste or religion, to extend their support.
