Kerala Government’s stand sought on Bishop Remigius Inchananiyil speech

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought the State Government's stand on a petition seeking action against Bishop of Thamarassery, Remigius Inchananiyil for his controversial speech during a protest against the Kasturirangan Commission report on the conservation of the Western Ghats.

Justice Harun Ul Rasheed issued notice to the Home secretary, SI Nadakkavu and the bishop.

During a strike organised by the Pashchimaghatta Jana Samrakshana Samithi in front of the Kozhikode Collectorate, the bishop had warned of “bloodshed” and “another Jalianwala Bagh” if the Centre were to implement the Kasturirangan Commission report.

According to the petitioner A.X.Varghese, a High Court advocate, the hate speech by the bishop amount to an offence which was punishable under Section 153 A (Promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence and language) and 124 A (Sedition).

By making such statements, the bishop was promoting enmity between different groups which was prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony, the petition stated.