Fort Kochi cafe video: YouTuber booked by Kerala Police over communal remarks
Legal action initiated under BNS provisions as political leaders debate religious sensitivity and national integration.
Fort Kochi police have registered a criminal case against YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren after he posted a social media video making controversial statements about a local eatery, Kashi Art Cafe.
The FIR was lodged following a complaint by a Fort Kochi resident regarding a video uploaded to Instagram at 6 am on 22 October. Police registered the case under Sections 353(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to statements conducing to public mischief and giving provocation with intent to cause a riot.
What triggered the controversy
In the viral video, Darren claimed that the eatery, despite being named after the holy Hindu city of Kashi, served beef and exhibited a silver statue of Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside one of Mahatma Gandhi. He attributed the menu and decor to the demographic presence of Muslims in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The display cited in the video is a long-standing public artwork created by renowned artist Riyas Komu. The installation explores the historical roles of Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, both originating from Gujarat, during the anti-colonial struggle and the subsequent Partition of India.
Political reactions across the state
The police action sparked a broader debate over national unity and religious sensitivity. BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar agreed that public order must be maintained, but raised questions over political double standards regarding secularism.
Chandrasekhar emphasised that Keralam is an integral part of India where all citizens deserve equal respect. He urged political leaders to avoid defending divisive figures or anti-national sentiments, arguing that true secularism requires protecting all religious sensibilities without exception.
| Political Leader | Position | Key Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP) | Opposed double standards in secularism | Keralam is part of India; warned against promoting anti-national or insensitive discourse |
| VD Satheesan (Chief Minister) | Condemned the video | Stated communal hatred has no place in Keralam and pledged law will take its course |
| Pinarayi Vijayan (Leader of Opposition) | Criticised external provocateurs | Affirmed Keralam's secular spirit will withstand attempts to divide communities |
Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan both publicly condemned the video, reaffirming the state's commitment to social harmony and law enforcement. State police confirmed that further investigations into the video and its online impact remain ongoing.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BNS Sections applied | Sections 353(2) and 192 | Fort Kochi Police FIR |
| Video upload time | 6:00 AM on 22 October | Fort Kochi Police FIR |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Fort Kochi | Locality in Kerala where the incident and police action took place. |
| Kashi Art Cafe | Fort Kochi cafe targeted in the viral social media video. |
| Amrit Singh Darren | YouTuber booked by Kerala Police over video comments. |
