In a significant legal development, the Kerala High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to BJP leader and former MLA PC George, who faces charges over alleged hate speech targeting the Muslim community.
The court’s decision, issued on Friday, comes after George was booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Kerala Police Act for remarks made during a televised debate on January 5. During the debate, he allegedly made inflammatory statements, including branding all Muslims in India as terrorists and communalists, urging them to migrate to Pakistan, and referring to them as “beggars.”
Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, while granting temporary relief, did not shy away from criticizing George’s statements. “He admits he made these remarks and has apologized. But as a senior politician, why would he say such things? People notice every word they speak. If they are not careful, it creates problems,” the judge remarked. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on February 17.
The controversy erupted after the Muslim Youth League Municipal Committee filed a complaint, prompting the police to register an FIR. In response to the public backlash, George issued an apology on social media, but his legal troubles persisted. His initial attempt to secure anticipatory bail from a sessions court in Kottayam was denied, with the lower court citing his previous violation of bail conditions in another case involving similar allegations.
Defending himself, George argued that his statements were made in the heat of the moment during a debate, claiming he was provoked by a co-panelist. He maintained that he had no intention to incite hatred and framed the case as politically motivated. His legal team contended that his arrest would be an infringement on his personal liberty.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case has reignited discussions on political rhetoric and the boundaries of free speech, with the High Court’s final decision awaited in the coming weeks.
