Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian, responding to presspersons asked why he should resign after attending CPI (M) party meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Kerala Police has begun a preliminary inquiry on the controversial speech made by Kerala's Culture Minister Saji Cherian.
The available committee of the party met and reportedly discussed the comments made by the minister. The minister had delivered the controversial speech while addressing a meeting organised by his party CPM at Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district. Cherian allegedly said that the Indian Constitution provides opportunities to exploit and loot the maximum number of common people. He allegedly said the Constitution was written by an Indian as dictated by Britishers.
Cherian subsequently clarified to the chief minister as well as before the State Assembly that he had in fact, criticized the administrative system prevalent in India and not the Constitution. Cherian also expressed regret over his comments in assembly.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has also sought an explanation from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the comments by the minister. Meanwhile, the Kerala police have started a preliminary inquiry in the case. Complaints regarding Cherian's speech received by the state police chief and the superintendent of police, Pathanamthitta, have been passed on to T.Rajappan Ravuther, DySP, Thiruvalla. "We will examine the minister's speech in detail and seek legal opinion. A decision on registering a case against the minister will be taken only later," said the DySP to OnManorama.
The State Assembly was adjourned on Wednesday following protests by the Opposition demanding resignation of the minister. The Opposition parties in Kerala announced that they would approach the court if there is no action against Cherian. The Opposition has submitted a memorandum with Governor demanding him to oust the minister from cabinet.
(with inputs from OnManorama)