'Secure and Secular': Congress Slams YouTuber's Communal Attack on Kashi Art Cafe
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed defends Kerala's secularism after a YouTuber's communal claims about Kashi Art Cafe spark controversy.
In a strong defense of Kerala's social fabric, Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has condemned the alleged communal remarks made by vlogger Amrit Singh Darren regarding the Kashi Art Cafe in Fort Kochi. Following a controversial video that sparked outrage, Mohamed asserted that Kerala remains a "secure and secular" state where religious harmony prevails despite various political pressures.
The Controversy: Allegations Against Kashi Art Cafe
The dispute began after Amrit Singh Darren posted a video on Instagram targeting the Kashi Art Cafe. In the clip, the vlogger claimed that the cafe—named after Kashi, a significant Hindu religious site—was serving beef while being located in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood. Furthermore, Darren alleged that the establishment had placed a silver statue of Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside a statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the premises.
Shama Mohamed Hits Back at 'Communal Rubbish'
Responding to these claims, Shama Mohamed dismissed the vlogger's assertions as "rubbish." She clarified the origins of the cafe, noting that it was established 30 years ago by a Malayali man and his American wife, and emphasized that "Kashi" in this context is a Japanese name, not a religious reference to the city of Varanasi.
Mohamed highlighted the resilience of Kerala's communal harmony, stating:
"I want to make one thing very clear: Kerala is very secure and secular. Let us remember one very important factor: Kerala has more than 4,000 shakhas, and still, we are very secular. We believe in every religion; every community lives there, and we don't have issues."
She further recalled past instances where the RSS allegedly placed beef in temples to frame Muslims, noting that even during such provocations, Kerala did not witness riots. She warned that "goons or BJP bucks" would not be allowed to alter the state's peaceful nature.
Government Action and Legal Consequences
The state administration has taken a stern view of the vlogger's actions. An FIR has been filed against Amrit Singh Darren, and Shama Mohamed warned that such attempts to incite hatred would result in imprisonment.
Echoing these sentiments, CM VD Satheesan expressed his deep displeasure over the video, describing it as a calculated attempt to spread "communal hatred" and misinformation about Fort Kochi. Taking to his X handle, Satheesan wrote:
"Keralam stands united. Communal hatred has no place here. The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable."
The CM reaffirmed that the UDF government is committed to justice without fear or favor and will not allow anyone to jeopardize the state's communal harmony. Investigations into the matter are currently underway.