UAPA against Salafi leader who urged Muslims to eschew Onam, Xmas

Kerala Police have slapped Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against Salafi leader and religious speaker Shamsudeen Palath who urged Muslims to keep away from the Onam and Christmas celebrations. He had also cautioned Muslims against sharing a smile with people belonging to other religions!

The UAPA was imposed on Palath, a former school teacher from Malappuram in Kerala who is considered a prominent leader of Salafi movement in Kerala that allegedly prompted many youths to woo Islamic State. The case pertains to a speech by Palath in 2014 at Karapparamba in Kozhikode in which he allegedly spew venom against other religions and urged Muslims to keep a distance from others. 

C Shukoor, a govt. prosecutor from Kasargod, had filed a complaint with the police alleging that the speech by the religious leader was anti-national and was aimed at igniting religious strife. His speeches had been widely shared on social media platforms. 

• Salafi leader
• UAPA
• hate speech
• ISIS