Setback for PC George as court denies anticipatory bail in hate speech case

KOTTAYAM: The Court denied the anticipatory bail plea filed by former MLA PC George for his alleged hate speech in a television debate. The Kottayam District Sessions Court rejected the bail plea. PC George will move High Court with a petition on Friday.

The incident in question took place on January 6. Erattupetta police registered a case against George for his hate speech during the channel discussion. Charges, including fostering religious rivalry and inciting riots, were imposed on him. It is alleged that George made anti-Muslim remarks during the channel discussion. The complaint was filed by the Youth League Erattupetta constituency committee.

“Muslims in India are extremists and fringe elements. Thousands of Christians and Hindus were killed by them.” George also asked such extremist Muslims to leave India for Pakistan. PC George also blamed Muslim sectarianism for his defeat in the last assembly elections.

At the same time, PC George retracted his statement and apologized after the issue created an uproar. George’s son Shaun George said that the case was politically motivated, as he pointed out that the opposite parties were not ready to accept an honest apology but wanted the issue to stay in the limelight.

“These people want to divide the society. They are the real perpetrators of sectarianism,” said Shaun.