Kerala: Father Of Minor Who Raised Provocative Slogans At PFI March Taken Into Police Custody

According to a police officer, the father was brought into prison and will shortly go to neighbouring Alappuzha for further questioning. Additional processes would be determined subsequently.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: The father of the juvenile kid, who reportedly raised aggressive chants during a recent march organised by the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala's Alappuzha, was arrested on Saturday from his home in Palluruthy, police said, news agency PTI reported.

The family, including the youngster, reportedly left the residence after a supposed video showing the toddler sitting on a person's shoulder and screaming derogatory chants during the PFI's "Save the Republic" event on May 21 went popular on social media platforms, prompting authorities to file a complaint.

According to a police officer, the father was brought into prison and will shortly go to neighbouring Alappuzha for further questioning. Additional processes would be determined subsequently.

However, in excusing his son's actions, the parent stated that the contentious phrase was not taught by anybody, but that the youngster had learned it previously when attending similar programmes.

He stated that this was not the first time his kid had raised such a slogan in a show, and that many other examples of him raising such chants could be seen on YouTube.

Speaking to media before taken into custody, he said, "We used to take part in the PFI's programmes. He had learnt the slogan when he attended a protest programme against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). I don't understand why it has become a controversy now. What offence did he commit to harass a little boy like this?"

So far, he added, 20 individuals have been detained and jailed in the case, and others are being taken into prison for interrogation from various locations.

According to police officials, the youngster will be taken to a government centre for counselling soon.

Meanwhile, PFI activists protested the police detention of the boy's father at Palluruthy.

Anas, an Erattuepetta resident who was carrying the small kid on his shoulders, was the first person detained in the case.

Police utilised numerous provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Kerala Police Act in the FIR filed in response to a complaint by Vijayakumar P K, and arraigned PFI Alappuzha district secretary Mujeeb and Navas as accused, along with other identified persons.

The FIR includes Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different religious groups), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class), 505(1)(b) (act against public tranquilly), 505(1)(c), 505(2), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, and Section 120(o) of the KP Act.

(With PTI Inputs)