Hate speech during television debate: P C George to appear before probe team on Monday

KOTTAYAM: Former Poonjar MLA PC George will appear before the police on Monday for questioning regarding the hate speech he purportedly made on a live television debate. The former MLA sought more time to appear before police. On Saturday, the police reached George’s residence twice to issue a notice, but he was not at home.

According to reports, George’s son Shaun George received the notice from the police. A case was registered by the Erattupetta police on the allegation that George made anti-Muslim remarks during a channel discussion. The court had rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by George the other day.

The court harshly reprimanded George and opined that the leader did not deserve to be a politician for easily falling for provocation despite having more than 30 years of experience in the field. The court pointed out the former cases against the petitioner for making hateful remarks and insults and said it highlighted the criminal attitude within him.

The High Court had granted bail in the 2022 case and stipulated that no provocative remarks should be made. But George violated this several times. The High Court has clarified that the seriousness of the allegation and the crimes committed by the accused may be taken into consideration. Granting anticipatory bail to the petitioner will send a wrong message to the society.