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The Growing Threat to Freedom of Expression in Kerala: The Story of Shajan Skariah
This is a 'Kerala Story' of how nationalist media outlets in the most literate state are being silenced using the full might of the Communist state government.
#KeralaModel
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We often hear the opposition and the left-leaning media accusing the central government of being a 'totalitarian' regime. This typically happens when the central government implements strict progressive measures. But what does totalitarianism mean?
#Kerala
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Allow me to narrate this story that you can grasp the concept better. It's a long thread. I have tried to minimize it as much as possible.
The story revolves around two main characters: Shajan Skariah and P.V. Anwar.
@marunadannews #marunadanmalayali
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Shajan Skariah is the founder of 'Marunadan Malayali,' an online Malayalam news portal. He is known for his straightforward and candid approach. Shajan is a vehement critic of the Communist Party in Kerala, but he has also criticized the BJP on certain issues in the past.
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Let me add that he had stood firmly with the devotees during the Sabarimala agitation. He openly discusses various topics in an effort to reveal the truth. Due to his outspoken nature, he has often been targeted by the ruling dispensation in Kerala and its supporters.
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Apart from a couple of instances in the past, Shajan's investigative news reports have mostly turned out to be factual.
P.V. Anwar is a businessman and an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Nilambur constituency in Kerala.
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He is currently being investigated by several agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), on various matters. Attached are a few screenshots of related news reports to help you understand the man.
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In the past, Shajan Skariah had published several news reports about P.V. Anwar, which had made the MLA very uncomfortable. In response, the MLA decided to target Shajan using his wealth and power.
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An incident occurred in May when Shajan visited London. He was attacked by a member of the Kerala Communist party, Rajesh Krishna, at the airport. P.V. Anwar publicly praised the attacker through a Facebook post. Such is the level of hatred, Anwar has for Shajan.
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In the post, he stated, 'Whoever it is, my love and appreciation to that London Malayalee. The man deserved to be slapped. I hope that this happens more often.'
Remember that this was an elected MLA openly advocating violence against another individual. (See the image)
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He also made another FB post congratulating the attacker Rajesh Krishna (See the image)
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On June 1st, 2023, he made a post on his Facebook page openly threatening Shajan and Marunadan. This is what he said: 'Mark my words. I will ensure that your office is shut down, even if it is for a day.'
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In another post, he once again reiterated his threat of shutting down Marunadan Malayali. Can you imagine a democratically elected official behaving and speaking like this?
(See the image! He clearly thinks he's the hero, but in reality, he's the villain here😀)
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Shajan Skariah responded to this post mockingly, asking him to provide the specific date for his threat. In the following weeks, the left MLA engaged in a series of abusive and targeted posts on his FB page, directed towards Shajan and his establishment.
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Imagine if he was an MLA from UP. In that case, this would have been national news. Here's another post where he abuses 'Sanghis,' and other supporters of Shajan, referring to them as 'shoe-lickers,' a derogatory term that has unfortunately become somewhat of a cliché.
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Here are a couple of other posts directed at Shajan, where the MLA uses language unbecoming of his position. He addresses Shajan as 'eda,' which is a highly disrespectful way of addressing someone. The use of 'eda' in this tone is typically reserved for sworn enemies.
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A brief visit to his Facebook page reveals that he has dedicated the past two months solely to targeting Shajan and attempting to shut down his media portal. Is this why we elect representatives? To settle their personal scores?
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A few days later, Shajan released a video, appealing to his supporters. He revealed that his portal's FB page, which had over 1 million followers, had been hacked. He said that multiple cases were being filed against him in police stations across Kerala to silence him.
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Now, let me introduce another character, V. Sreenijan. He is an elected MLA from the Kunnathunad constituency and belongs to the SC/ST community. Here are a few screenshots to provide you with an understanding of this individual.
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In May 2023, Marunadan had published a hard-hitting report against Sreenijan. The news report alleged maladministration of the Sports Hostel, and implicated Sreenijan in his role as the Chairman of the District Sports Council. Similar reports were carried by other media.
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In mid-June, Sreenijan filed a complaint against Shajan under the stringent SC/ST Act (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989. Unfortunately for Shajan, the Special Court denied him anticipatory bail. Attached is an image posted by P.V. Anwar, along with Sreenijan after this
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A couple of days ago, Shajan's offices in the Kerala state capital were raided by the Kerala police, who seized all the equipment.
Shajan is currently on the run, and according to news reports, he has filed for anticipatory bail in the Supreme Court.
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Kerala Communists fear his voice, and there is a genuine concern that they may resort to any means necessary to silence him. Shajan is well aware of this danger, which might explain why he has not surrendered.
@marunadannews
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One can only imagine the extent to which a police force controlled by individuals like P.V. Anwar might go to silence Shajan.
However, the story doesn't end with Shajan and Marunadan Malayali alone.
#Marunadanmalayali @marunadannews
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The Kerala establishment is also targeting other news portals critical of the government and its representatives. Presently, cases have been filed against Asianet and Mathrubhumi news reporters for various reasons.
#AsianetNews
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Just a couple of days ago, Anwar proudly announced that an FIR had been filed against another news portal, Karma News, in a mocking manner, stating 'Karma News - Chest Number 3.' This indicates that it is the third case filed against such news portals.
#keralanews
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Figures like Anwar and Sreenijan clearly enjoy the full support of the Kerala state government. They are willing to go to any extent to silence dissenting voices that question the government, its policies, and expose its irregularities.
#KeralaModel
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Currently, they are targeting news portals. Tomorrow, they may turn against political observers who criticize the government on news channels. In the near future, they might even target individuals who express their opinions openly on Social media.
#keralastory
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Totalitarianism is a form of government/political system that suppresses all opposition parties, criminalizes individual/group dissent against the state, and exerts an extremely high, if not complete, level of control and regulation over public and private life.
#Kerala
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The Kerala Communist government and its politicians are providing us with a live demonstration of what it means to live under a totalitarian regime. They showcase the characteristics and actions typically associated with such regimes.
Story to be continued….
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