Alleged death threat to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Facebook sparks political row

The alleged death threat against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from a Facebook profile named Teena Jose has sparked a political debate and legal action in the state.

The profile identified the user as a nun and lawyer. It was also stated that he studied at Government Law College, Ernakulam. The comment on the alleged death threat came in response to a Facebook post by one Selton L D’souza, who stated that Mr Vijayan would be campaigning for local elections in Kerala.

In the alleged comment, referring to the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, it was stated that “This world, which killed a good man like Rajiv Gandhi, can do this too.”

The woman who made the comment was reportedly a former member of the Catholic religious order Congregation of the Mother of Carmel.

The community of nuns distanced themselves from the woman and the controversy by issuing a press release on April 4, 2009, stating that membership in the community had been revoked in accordance with canonical procedures.

He is not currently part of the congregation, he said.

Minister condemns the threat

Meanwhile, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty condemned the alleged threat. He stated that the statements were a challenge to the country’s law and democratic values.

“It was known from the media that he was a supporter of the Twenty20 political party and was campaigning for the party’s candidates in the local elections. Twenty20 should clarify its stand on whether it agrees with his views or not,” Mr Sivankutty said in a statement.

Sabu M. Jacob, Twenty20’s chief coordinator, said the woman “had no official role” in the party. He added that the statements he made were his personal views.