Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday, 25 October 2026, backed Kerala Congress leader and Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan's condemnation of a vlogger's alleged communal remarks targeting a Fort Kochi café, but issued a sharp warning against what he called 'selective secularism' — urging the CM to extend equal respect to all Malayalees regardless of religion.

The Incident That Sparked the Row

Fort Kochi police in Kerala registered a case against vlogger Amrit Singh Darren after he made allegedly communal remarks about Kashi Art Cafe in an Instagram video. The café's name — derived from Kashi, a Hindu holy city — became central to the political debate that followed.

Kerala CM Satheesan had responded on social media platform X, stating: '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.'

Chandrasekhar's Conditional Endorsement

Responding through his own post on X, Chandrasekhar said he agreed with the CM's sentiment but raised what he described as 'legitimate questions about political culture that is developing in Keralam.' He questioned why some political figures 'glorify Jinnah,' why certain politicians allegedly justify proscribed organisations like Hamas, and why parties such as the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) maintain political alliances with what he termed 'avowed anti-secular, anti-constitution organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami.'

'Malayalees alone will decide the present and future of Keralam. Our food, our culture, our celebrations. Keralam is part of India. Every Malayalee is also an Indian,' Chandrasekhar asserted.

BJP's Accusation of a 'Free Pass' Culture

Chandrasekhar blamed Congress and CPI-M for giving what he called a 'free pass' to individuals displaying 'insensitive behaviour' toward the state. He remarked: 'The only reason some people think they can get away with insults and insensitive behavior is because they get a free-pass from Congress or CPM for this.'

He also claimed he was 'abused' and 'targeted' by former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for speaking out against what he described as Hamas radicalisation efforts in Kerala. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The 'Selective Secularism' Warning

In the sharpest part of his statement, Chandrasekhar directly cautioned Satheesan: 'Selective secularism and selective talk of communal harmony will make you like every other fake politician before you. And we will resist it. Fully. Everytime.' He advised the CM to 'ensure sensitivity and respect to ALL Malayalees equally — Hindus, Christians and Muslims,' and urged him not to 'encourage anti-India, anti-Hindu insults.' He also invoked Article 19(2) of the Constitution, arguing that free speech restrictions apply equally to every Indian.

What Comes Next

The case against vlogger Amrit Singh Darren is expected to proceed through the Kerala courts, while the political controversy is likely to intensify ahead of state-level electoral cycles. The BJP's framing of the episode as evidence of 'selective secularism' by the Congress-led opposition sets up a broader narrative battle over communal equity in the state. All parties are yet to formally respond to Chandrasekhar's detailed post.