Outrage erupted in Kerala after Sree Narayana Dharma ParipalanaYogam general secretary VellappallyNatesan referred to a Muslim journalist as a ‘terrorist’ during a press interaction. The remarks targeted Rahees Rasheed, a TV journalist from Erattupetta, who had questioned Natesan over earlier Islamophobic statements.
The controversy followed an incident where Natesan pushed away the reporter’s microphone after a question on educational institutions allotted during the Pinarayi Vijayan government. A press conference was later called to explain the episode. During the interaction, Natesan claimed the journalist belonged to the Muslim Students Federation and had been sent deliberately. He repeatedly used the term ‘terrorist’forRahees.
Journalists present challenged the remark, asking whether the accusation rested on identity or evidence. Natesan responded defiantly. He also warned reporters against questioning him and struck the microphone again.
Political reactions followed. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan accused the Chief Minister of encouraging communal division through silence. Congress leader T Siddique said branding a journalist a terrorist due to his name was alarming and unjust. He stressed Rahees had raised a professional question linked to public accountability.
MSF state president PK Navas questioned the source of such language. He said such labelling mirrored narratives used to stigmatise Muslims.