Full Breakdown
Kerala First Information Report (FIR) Against YouTuber Over Fort Kochi Cafe Video Sparks Communal Debate
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident: FIR Filed Over Instagram Video
Police in Fort Kochi registered a criminal case against North-Indian YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren after he posted an Instagram video that alleged the Kashi Art Cafe displayed a silver statue of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and that the café served beef because the surrounding neighbourhood is predominantly Muslim. The case was lodged under Sections 353(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 192 (provocation with intent to cause a riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The video was posted around 6 a.m. on October 22.
Background & Context
The video surfaced amid ongoing political tensions in Kerala. The state is governed by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly accused the state government of “selective secularism.” Earlier, Kerala leaders had condemned a separate online incident involving a Hamas-related event, a backdrop that the BJP cited while criticizing the FIR. The café’s artwork, created by artist Riyas Komu, was intended to explore the lives of Gandhi and Jinnah and has been in place for years, but Darren’s framing linked it to communal provocation.
Data & Statistics
- Video posting date: October 22 (around 6 a.m.)
- Legal provisions invoked: Sections 353(2) and 192 of the BNS
- Key allegations in the video: statue of Jinnah, statue of Gandhi, serving of beef, alleged Arab funding of the Kerala government (as per Darren’s broader claims)
Official Statements & Responses
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan condemned the video as an attempt to spread misinformation, divide communities and tarnish the state’s image. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala described the registration of the FIR as a “necessary step,” emphasizing that freedom of expression does not permit incitement of communal hatred and that Kerala’s temples, mosques, churches and diverse heritage must be protected.
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the state government of practising “selective secularism,” arguing that the concerns of “pro-India and Hindu” citizens should also be considered. He warned that the chief minister’s response to the video should be balanced with sensitivity toward Hindu sentiments and questioned how the government would react if a restaurant named after a Muslim holy city served pork.
Congress MP Hibi Eden (Ernakulam) suggested that Darren’s remarks were part of a broader attempt to damage Kerala’s tourism reputation, urging a comprehensive examination of the YouTuber’s prior content.
Criticism & Opposition
The BJP’s critique centers on the perception that the Kerala government is unevenly enforcing communal-harmony norms. Chandrasekhar framed the FIR as evidence of “selective secularism,” contending that the state’s response overlooks grievances from Hindu and pro-India groups. He linked the incident to broader political narratives about external influences, including references to Hamas-related controversies in the state.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Keralam stands united. Communal hatred has no place here,” — Satheesan, both chief
- “Our temples, mosques, churches, art and diverse communities are part of our shared heritage. No campaign of hate can erase that,” — Ramesh Chennithala, state home minister
- “Sensitivities of people who are pro-India and Hindu must also be taken into account by the Kerala chief minister,” — Rajeev Chandrasekhar, bjp's kerala chief