‘Kafir’ screenshot boomerangs as CPM finds themselves on the backfoot

Kozhikode: Once again, the ‘kafir’ screenshot controversy has come alive in political circles much to the embarrassment of CPM which had raked up the issue in the beginning crying foul over the hate campaign of UDF to malign their candidate KK Shailaja in Vadakara constituency during the Lok Sabha election. As the police report submitted to Kerala High Court in connection with the ‘kafir’ screenshot says that it was the pro-CPM social media groups which had shared and circulated the screenshot, CPM finds it tough to justify their earlier stance as they stand exposed before their party workers and supporters. 

On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil and Muslim League leaders had come out unleashing an all out attack against the CPM for their conspiracy to turn Vadakara election campaign into an opportunity to create communal hatred and divide in the society. Youth League workers had taken out a protest march to the school in Vadakara where a DYFI leader mentioned in the police report is working as a teacher. 

Congress leaders highlighted the affidavit submitted by Vadakara police before Kerala High Court, in which the police clearly state the route through which the ‘kafir’ screenshot message travelled. They allege that, even as the police have identified the persons behind the plot, no action has been taken yet. 

As of now, the police have identified DYFI leader Ribesh of Vadakara, who had shared the screenshot first in a pro-CPM WhatsApp group named ‘Red Encounter’ on April 25 at 2.13 pm. But, Ribesh has not yet revealed the source behind the screenshot to the police. The police says that the phone of Ribesh would be seized and would be sent for detailed inspection in District Forensic Science Lab, to find out the source. Then only they would be able to unearth the people behind the conspiracy, an official said. 

During the Lok Sabha election campaign, CPM had alleged that Muhammad Kasim, a youth league worker had shared a ‘screenshot’ calling LDF candidate KK Shailaja as ‘kafir’. But, in an unexpected move, Muhammad Kasim had moved court saying that a fake message was created using his name. 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pnarayi Vijayan said that, he has not seen the police report regarding the case. When the reporters asked about the stand of the government as the report implicates pro-CPM social media groups behind the sharing of screenshot, he said that the police would investigate about all the elements involved in the case.