Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad hits out at Jaleel for his remarks on Kashmir where he referred to Kashmir as “Indian adheena Kashmir” and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as “Azad Kashmir”
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Sunday slammed KT Jaleel, MLA of ruling party Left Democratic Front (LDF) for his remarks on Kashmir and said that it was ‘totally unacceptable’.
KT Jaleel sparked a controversy after he wrote a Facebook post in which he called Kashmir as ‘Indian adheena Kashmir’ (Indian occupied Kashmir) and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
Governor Arif said that the remarks were unacceptable and unfortunate. He further added that he doubts if the remarks are made after reading some literature or it was just ignorant.
“I feel very sorry for this kind of comment. It is totally unacceptable. I feel hurt by these kinds of comments,” the Kerala governor was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Governor Khan questioned the MLA, “Do we not realize the preciousness of our freedom? Do we not realize the importance of our national integrity? How can we afford to say things like this?”
LDF distanced itself from Jaleel’s remarks. Senior LDF minister Govindan said that the Left has a clear stand on Kashmir and whatever Jaleel said was his own views. Party MLC also clarified that the said remarks were his own stand and not the party’s.
After his remarks received a massive backlash Jaleel wrote another Facebook post in Malayalam and said that people twisted his remark and misunderstood it. He wrote that he only had sympathy for people who did not understand the “Azad Kashmir” remark written in quotes.
Akhil Bharatiya Vishwa Parishad (ABVP) registered a complaint with Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner seeking strict action against the MLA. They alleged that his remarks were anti-national.
ABVP state secretary NCT Shreehari sent the complaint to the police commissioner on August 12.
Union minister of state for External Affairs V Muralidharan also slammed the MLA and said that the ruling government should not think that withdrawing the statement was the end of the matter.
