Congress led UDF government today indicated that necessary legal steps would be initiated against SNDP General Secretary Vellappaly Natesan for his alleged 'communal hate speech.'
"Government will initiate the action recommended by the Home Secretary in this regard," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters here today.
Chandy condemned the statement of Natesan, leader of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, who is leading a 'Samathwa Munnatta Yatra, to unite Hindu caste outfits.
The CM said he had forwarded a letter to the Home secretary submitted by KPCC seeking legal action against Natesan to elicit views.
"After getting the report from the Home secretary, steps will be initiated', he said, terming Natesan's statement as 'most communal' and 'venomous'.
Natesan had courted controversy yesterday by allegedly stating that Congress led UDF government was giving financial assistance to victims of mishaps by looking into their caste and religion.
He made the statement in the wake of the financial aid given to relatives of deceased auto-rickshaw driver Noushad of Kozhikode, while trying to save two workers who were trapped in a manhole.
Chandy pointed out that Noushad died while trying to rescue two workers who got trapped while working in a manhole.
The CM said the 'highly condemnable' words of Natesan would have no takers in Kerala.
He also said that the government had in the past provided assistance to people in similar circumstances without taking into account their caste or religion.
"I have dealt with cases like this that came to my knowledge and the needful was done in all of them," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress and CPI(M) demanded action against Natesan for his remark.
KPCC President V M Sudheeran sought legal action and alleged that Natesan was trying to divide society on the lines of religion.
CPI(M) veteran and state opposition leader V S Achuthanandan demanded the arrest of Natesan and registering of a case against him.
CPI(M) politburo member and former state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan also condemned Natesan's statement and sought action against him.
