Congress slams Kerala CM over outrageous comment

The Congress on Tuesday slammed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his "curt and outrageous" remarks on P. Mohana Das, the acting chairperson of the Kerala Human Rights Commission.

Last week, Das slammed the Kerala Home Department for posting A.V. George, a senior police official who is currently being probed over the custodial death of 26-year-old youth Sreejith, to the Kerala Police Academy which imparts training to fresh recruits.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vijayan, who also holds the Home portfolio, told the media: "Let the Commission person do what he has been assigned to and let not his utterance have any political overtures. He should realise that he sits in a position and should speak keeping that in mind."

Soon after, Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala slammed Vijayan for his comment.

"Sreejith was sleeping in his house and he was taken into custody and was kicked to death. When such things happen, the Commission will react sharply. Vijayan should see that he does his job properly and if that happens, none will have any reason to make any comments. He has been an abject failure in the way he has handled the Home portfolio," said Chennithala.

Senior Congress leader and former party president V.M. Sudheeran said it was unbecoming of a Chief Minister to speak like he did of a person like Das who has proved to be a hugely respectable judicial officer.

"Vijayan is showing intolerance just because Das did what is expected of a Commission chairperson. Vijayan should not stoop to such low levels," said Sudheeran.

Das was appointed as the acting chairperson by the previous Oommen Chandy government.

--IANS

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