Pillai's 'hate speech' triggers controversy

Kollam: Kerala Congress (B) chief R Balakrishna Pillai has ignited a controversy with an alleged hate speech against Muslims and Christians. The speech made at Pathanapuram on Sunday resulted in some religious organisations coming up with strong protests against the leader.
Pillai, while speaking at a Nair Service Society (NSS) gathering at Kamukencheri, allegedly compared the call for 'namaz' from mosques to that of the barking of street dogs.He further added that Muslims and Christians have doubled their mosques and churches in accordance with the growth in their population.
"The derogatory speech is aimed at igniting communal violence. The government should take strong and strict action against him for hurting religious sentiments," said Kerala Muslim Jama-ath Federation president Kadakkal Abdul Azeez Maulavi.
The Muslim Aikyavedi held protest marches at Pathanapuram and Kottarakkara and said more intense protests would held if no action is taken against the leader.
The Kollam rural police have begun a probe into the incident. "The police have received a complaint. The Punalur DSP has been asked to inquire and submit a report. Action will be taken if the allegation is found to be correct," said Kollam rural SP Ajeetha Beegum.
Though the function was not covered by media, a person who was present at the venue leaked an audio clip of the programme which was later aired by TV channels and online media.
Pillai who was at Ambasamudram on Monday for the bali rituals, denied the allegation. He said the audio clip was forged and purposefully made to tarnish his image.