In a rather dictatorial move, the Kerala Police has broken loose on the dissenters of the Sabarimala verdict. Extending their tyranny beyond physical borders, the Kerala police have sent notice to more than 25000 Facebook users who have expressed their dissent on Sabarimala verdict, warning them of further action if they do not refrain from the same.
According to the statements made by Thiruvananthapuram Police Commissioner, P Prakash, some people on social media are trying to create communal divide through their posts on the Sabarimala issue. To quote him, “In the past two months we have served warnings to 4,000 people from my official Facebook page. All those involved in creating and circulating communally disturbing social media posts”.
As further added by P Prakash, It was found that pictures, videos and voice clips of communal nature were circulated via social media. To quote him, “Non-bailable charges would be leveled against the offenders and the cyber cell has started collecting details of the suspects operating from outside the country”.
Yes, you heard this right. If one posts anything in favor of the Sabarimala temple’s traditions, and / or against the Supreme Court verdict, irrespective of where the person resides, he / she shall be issued a non bailable warrant by the Kerala Police. As of now, 25000 people have been issued such warnings and notices by the Kerala Police, of which 4000 were warned alone in the capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
This is not all. The city commissioner P Prakash also said, “Through warning notice, they have asked the Facebook users not to indulge in creating communal divide and reminded them strict legal actions are in the offing in case they repeat the misdeed. Overseas Keralites who are found to be involved in uploading potential communally disturbing social media posts would be subject to severe action. In such cases, the police department can even go to the extent of cancelling their passports or issue red-corner notice”.
If arresting people while sleeping or lathi charging the devotees was not enough, the Kerala police have now resorted to bizarre tactics to suppress any sort of dissent against their tyranny. From arresting opposition leaders backing devotees like BJP state secretary K Surendran, to usurping the accommodation meant for devotees, relegating them to unhygienic and cramped spaces, there is nothing that Kerala Police haven’t done in their quest to uphold the arbitrary verdict imposed by Supreme Court. However, this is a real low even by their own standards.
Even if one posts against the verdict from abroad, his / her dissent will be treated with contempt and issued a non bailable warrant. Is this not suppression of human rights? Is this not contempt of freedom of expression?
Interestingly, none of the left liberals, who would otherwise cry emergency at the drop of a hat, have even spoken about this issue; forget protesting this dictatorial decision. Is it because the devotees are not from their designated communities? Needless to say, the current diktats as imposed by Kerala police are not only atrocious, but also invoking a disastrous breakdown, that may be too hot for them to handle.