Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan sparked outrage after calling a Kerala Muslim journalist a “terrorist” during a press interaction, with critics saying the remarks echoed the Sangh Parivar’s Islamophobic ideology.
The remarks were directed at Rahees Rasheed, a Reporter TV journalist from Erattupetta, whom he claimed was a Muslim Students Federation (MSF) leader who had been “deliberately sent.”
Vellappally’s remarks came after he was provoked by a question Rahees had asked the previous day, following which Vellappally had pushed away the reporter’s microphone. The comments were made during a press conference convened to explain the microphone-pushing incident and related issues.
However, journalists present at the press conference questioned Vellappally’s reference to Rahees as a “terrorist,” asking whether the allegation was based on his name or whether Rahees had any proven links to extremist activities.
Vellappally responded by saying “yes” and asserted that he did not need to be questioned and that he would say what he wanted to say, adding that his remarks were based on his own experience.
Vellappally lashed out at the journalist who questioned him, asking who he was and warning him not to “show off” or “play games.” Pointing at the microphone, he asked whether he should throw it away and told journalists to speak with decorum.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
