Vlogger ‘discovers’ Muslims and beef in Fort Kochi, makes communal remarks, gets booked
The Kerala police have booked Amrit Singh Darren (Littichokhaup), a north Indian travel vlogger, for making communal remarks against Kerala and Fort Kochi in particular. In his video, the content creator made intense, politically charged remarks, saying that Fort Kochi is "full of Muslims", that Kerala was on the brink of danger, and that the union government should intervene.The video titled ‘Keralam is in Danger’ begins with Amrit mentioning the Kashi Art Cafe and saying despite the name, the cafe had no connection to Banaras or Mahadeva. “When I went inside the cafe, for the first time I saw Jinahh’s face in Bharat along with Gandhi. When I checked the menu, the entire menu was all about beef. Naming Kashi, putting Jinnah’s photo and serving Beef,” he says. He asked the owner to change the name from Kashi to Karachi.The artwork of Gandhi-Jinnah in the Art Cafe is by artist Riyaz Komu. The Gandhi-Jinnah art, as described in The Hindu, is a famous divide-and-rule story of partition that continues in the present day, where society remains fissured and in conflict.He then went on to make divisive remarks. “And I'm totally shocked to see the population and the surroundings—it is all about Islam in Fort Kochi. 95% of business owners, taxi drivers, rickshaw drivers, those doing small businesses like selling jhumkas, or putting up punctures—all the vegetables, fruits, all Muslims, all Muslims are here. And the government here is sitting hands folded. And you won't believe it, when I talked to the locals—the right-wing locals—all of them were quiet, they were scared. The locals told me that the government here is getting funding from Arab nations to promote Islam. What is going on in Kerala is dangerous. If the central government doesn't pay attention to this, then Kerala is a gone case; Kerala has slipped out of our hands. The right wing and Hindus here cannot speak up openly.”The video has faced heavy criticism for a wilful disinformation about Kerala's syncretic culture and demographics.The controversy intensified when Diya Krishna, a social media content creator and daughter of BJP leader Krishna Kumar, left a comment reading "sad reality". Following intense online discussion, she released a clarification video. She apologised for reacting after only watching the first half of the video. She claimed that her comment was strictly aimed at the depiction of Jinnah's portrait alongside Gandhi on the cafe walls, rather than endorsing the vlogger's communal remarks about the region.Opposition leader of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, criticised the use of online platforms to spread communal hatred and urged the state government to take strict legal action. “Fort Kochi and Varkala are places where cultures meet, histories intertwine, and diversity thrives. Now, a vlogger peddling hate for profit seeks to paint these vibrant destinations in communal colours. Having failed to divide Keralam, the Sangh Parivar is outsourcing its hate campaign to online provocateurs. But Keralam’s secular spirit will not yield to their politics of hatred,” he wrote on X. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan wrote, “Keralam stands united. Communal hatred has no place here. The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable. A case has been registered, and the law will take its course. The UDF government remains committed to communal harmony and justice without fear or favour.”Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Nemom, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Keralam is for all Malayalees. Malayalees alone will decide the present & future of Keralam. Our food, our culture, our celebrations. I agree with CMs sentiment in his post. However legitimate questions arise about political culture that's developing in Keralam. Why do some people glorify Jinnah - a man who divided India on the basis of religions? Why do some politicians justify, defend and encourage proscribed Terror organisations like Hamas and their violence? Why do political parties like Cong and CPM have political alliances with avowed anti-secular, anti-constitution organisations like Jamaat E Islami ?Amrit Singh Darren was booked under Section 353(2) [penalises circulating false information or rumours intended to promote enmity or hatred between different communities, groups, or castes] and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kani Kusruti (@kantari_kanmani)
THE Kerala police have booked Amrit Singh Darren (Littichokhaup), a North Indian travel vlogger, for making communal remarks against Kerala and Fort Kochi in particular.
In his video, the content creator made intense, politically charged remarks, saying that Fort Kochi is "full of Muslims", that Kerala was on the brink of danger, and that the union government should intervene.
The video titled ‘Keralam is in Danger’ begins with Amrit mentioning the Kashi Art Cafe and saying despite the name, the cafe had no connection to Banaras or Mahadeva.
“When I went inside the cafe, for the first time I saw Jinahh’s face in Bharat along with Gandhi. When I checked the menu, the entire menu was all about beef. Naming Kashi, putting Jinnah’s photo and serving Beef,” he says. He asked the owner to change the name from Kashi to Karachi.
The artwork of Gandhi-Jinnah in the Art Cafe is by artist Riyaz Komu. The Gandhi-Jinnah art, as described in The Hindu, is a famous divide-and-rule story of partition that continues in the present day, where society remains fissured and in conflict.
He then went on to make divisive remarks. “And I'm totally shocked to see the population and the surroundings—it is all about Islam in Fort Kochi. 95% of business owners, taxi drivers, rickshaw drivers, those doing small businesses like selling jhumkas, or putting up punctures—all the vegetables, fruits, all Muslims, all Muslims are here. And the government here is sitting with hands folded. And you won't believe it, when I talked to the locals—the right-wing locals—all of them were quiet, they were scared. The locals told me that the government here is getting funding from Arab nations to promote Islam. What is going on in Kerala is dangerous. If the central government doesn't pay attention to this, then Kerala is a gone case; Kerala has slipped out of our hands. The right wing and Hindus here cannot speak up openly.”
The video has faced heavy criticism for wilful disinformation about Kerala's syncretic culture and demographics.
The controversy intensified when Diya Krishna, a social media content creator and daughter of BJP leader Krishna Kumar, left a comment reading "sad reality".
Following intense online discussion, she released a clarification video. She apologised for reacting after only watching the first half of the video. She claimed that her comment was strictly aimed at the depiction of Jinnah's portrait alongside Gandhi on the cafe walls, rather than endorsing the vlogger's communal remarks about the region.
Opposition leader of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, criticised the use of online platforms to spread communal hatred and urged the state government to take strict legal action.
“Fort Kochi and Varkala are places where cultures meet, histories intertwine, and diversity thrives. Now, a vlogger peddling hate for profit seeks to paint these vibrant destinations in communal colours. Having failed to divide Keralam, the Sangh Parivar is outsourcing its hate campaign to online provocateurs. But Keralam’s secular spirit will not yield to their politics of hatred,” he wrote on X.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan wrote, “Keralam stands united. Communal hatred has no place here. The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable. A case has been registered, and the law will take its course. The UDF government remains committed to communal harmony and justice without fear or favour.”
Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Nemom, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Keralam is for all Malayalees. Malayalees alone will decide the present & future of Keralam. Our food, our culture, our celebrations. I agree with CMs sentiment in his post. However legitimate questions arise about political culture that's developing in Keralam. Why do some people glorify Jinnah - a man who divided India on the basis of religions? Why do some politicians justify, defend and encourage proscribed Terror organisations like Hamas and their violence? Why do political parties like Cong and CPM have political alliances with avowed anti-secular, anti-constitution organisations like Jamaat E Islami?
Amrit Singh Darren was booked under Section 353(2) [penalises circulating false information or rumours intended to promote enmity or hatred between different communities, groups, or castes] and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
