Kerala Governor Condemns CPI(M) Leader KT Jaleel's 'PoK Is Azad Kashmir' Remark, Calls It Unacceptable

Arif Mohammed Khan said that the social media post of the former minister was 'Unfortunate'. However, the Governor said that he did not think that the statement was unexpectedly done

After making controversial comments on Kashmir through his Facebook post, Kerala MLA KT Jaleel has been facing backlash for his "PoK is Azad Kashmir" remark. Several leaders have slammed the CPI(M) leader and state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also condemned by saying "This is totally unacceptable. I feel hurt by these kinds of comments." 

Arif Mohammed Khan said that the social media post of the former minister was 'Unfortunate'. However, the Governor said that he did not think that the statement was unexpectedly done.

The Kerala Governor was speaking to mediapersons on Sunday and added that such things cannot be accepted.

It may be noted that Jaleel is in the midst of a controversy after a Facebook post with the BJP and Congress demanding immediate action by the Chief Minister against the legislator, who is an independent MLA supported by the Left front.

BJP Kerala state president, K Surendran while speaking to IANS said, "Jaleel should be charged with sedition against this anti-national statement. The former minister has made this statement even as the country is celebrating its 75 Independence day. He must resign from the legislature post or the Chief Minister must force him to resign. Pinarayi Vijayan must make a statement on this."

He also said that Jaleel was a former operative of the Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and that not much could be expected from him.

Union Minister of the state for External Affairs and senior leader of the BJP from Kerala, V Muraleedharan also called for stringent action against KT Jaleel for his anti-national statement.

It may be noted that the CPI-M has also distanced themselves from Jaleel and senior leader of the party and state Urban Development Minister, MV Govindan Master said that the CPI-M's position on Kashmir was clear.

In the post written in Malayalam on Friday, the Kerala MLA said, "The part of Kashmir annexed to Pakistan was known as 'Azad Kashmir' and it was an area where the Pakistan government does not have direct control." Jaleel was a minister in the previous CPI(M)-led LDF government.

(With agencies inputs)