Kerala CM admits knowing MDMA case accused amid Opposition attack, denies Meta censorship charge
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Thursday admitted that he knew two youths arrested with MDMA, including a Youth Congress activist, as the political row over the drug case escalated into allegations of social media censorship involving Meta.
Satheesan, however, denied allegations that his office had asked Meta to remove news reports critical of him. He also rejected claims that one of the accused, Muhammad Hussain, was part of his social media team.
The controversy began after Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday accused the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala of “undeclared social media censorship”.
Vijayan's allegation came amid reports about the removal of content concerning the arrest in Kasaragod of a person who allegedly claimed to be Satheesan's social media coordinator.
Responding to reporters at a press conference, Satheesan said he personally knew both arrested men, Muhammad Hussain and Abdul Salam.
“First, I personally know the two people who were arrested. I personally know Muhammad Hussain and Abdul Salam. Among them, Muhammad Hussain was a Youth Congress activist,” he said.
Satheesan said he first came to know Hussain after the latter suffered serious injuries in a police lathi charge outside MGM School at Kuruppampady in Perumbavoor during the Nava Kerala Sadas led by then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Why Satheesan met Hussain
Satheesan said that later, when he visited Vengola panchayat for a programme along with the local MLA and party workers, they suggested that he visit Hussain.
“There are photos of me meeting him at his home. After that, he came to meet me three or four times at various places. Every time, we showed him the consideration one naturally extends to someone injured in a police assault,” he said.
According to Satheesan, neither local Congress workers nor members of the public knew about Hussain's alleged involvement in the drug case at the time.
“We only knew when the arrest happened; otherwise, nobody knew about it,” he said.
Satheesan also denied that Hussain was part of his social media team.
CM denies Hussain was his social media coordinator
“Furthermore, he is not part of my social media team. Even when I was the Leader of the Opposition, I didn't have a social media team, nor do I have one now. I haven't appointed a coordinator anywhere. Now, if individuals join various forums as members, what can we do about it?” Satheesan asked.
He then addressed the allegations involving Meta and denied that his office had sought the removal of posts or news reports criticising him.
Satheesan said his office had made only one request to Meta — to restore the official Instagram account of the Chief Minister's Office, CMO Kerala.
He said the account had still not been restored despite two months having passed.
Satheesan points to removal of favourable posts
Satheesan also claimed that several posts favourable to him had been removed from social media.
Among the examples he cited was a speech by the Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram during the 700th anniversary celebrations of the Kollam Diocese, in which the Archbishop praised Satheesan's intervention on issues concerning the fishing community.
He also referred to a video showing Satheesan and Shibu Baby John visiting the home of missing fisherman Gautham Krishna.
Another example, he said, was a post carrying his photograph alongside a KCBC statement supporting the Chief Minister and urging people not to engage in politics during relief operations.
Satheesan said similar removals had also occurred in connection with content involving the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.
“If your news reports or online media posts have been removed, you should make efforts to get them restored. The government will support you in that. The government can write a letter if needed. I can write a letter to Meta if needed, stating that posts criticising me should not be removed. I am ready to do that,” he said.
Satheesan rejects claim of Meta intervention
Satheesan also rejected allegations involving Rathan U Kelkar, who had earlier served as Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer and is currently associated with the Chief Minister's Office.
Questions were raised over whether Kelkar could have intervened with Meta in the present cases, citing an earlier incident involving an interview Satheesan gave while serving as Leader of the Opposition.
Satheesan said that interview had been removed after a complaint during the election period but was restored after authorities found nothing objectionable in it.
He categorically denied that his office could influence Meta to remove content published by news organisations.
“Do you think I am such a fool to believe that by having Meta remove 10 posts, we can gag the media and social media in Kerala? What do you take me for?” he asked.
'This is happening across India', says CM
Satheesan said the issue was not limited to Kerala and referred to reports that Meta had apologised to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This is happening in an undeclared manner. We saw news that Meta apologised to the Prime Minister, and it has been happening since then across India -- not just in Kerala,” he said.
Home Minister backs anti-drug action
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala rejected the allegations raised by Pinarayi Vijayan and urged him to support the government's anti-narcotic campaign, Operation Toofan, instead of creating a controversy.
Asked specifically about the arrest of a Youth Congress worker known to Satheesan in the drug case, Chennithala said political connections would not affect the legal process.
“No matter who they are associated with, even if they are close to the Chief Minister, it is not a factor here. They have all been remanded, action has been taken, and it is strict,” he said.
Chennithala said political leaders regularly meet people at public programmes, where many approach them for photographs or brief interactions.
He said it was not possible for leaders to check the background of every person they meet.