A tweet by a Hyderabad-based BJP supporter and rightwinger has kicked up a storm.
Suresh Kochattil, who appears on debates on English news channels, had tweeted on Monday night that the Telangana Police should check for “jihadis” in IT companies.
Many wannabe Jihadis work for American Software companies in Hyderabad? After #Iran threatened to hit US assets, has @hydcitypolice @cyberabadpolice @RachakondaCop done background check/risk assessment of these Peacefuls? Or cops are clueless? @KTRTRS @TelanganaDGP @USCGHyderabad
— Suresh Kochattil (@kochattil) January 6, 2020
The tweet by Kochattil led to widespread condemnation and accusations that he was an Islamophobe. Kochattil had tweeted, “Many wannabe jihadis work for American software companies in Hyderabad? After Iran threatened to hit #US assets, has @HydcityPolice and @Cyberabadpolice @Rachakondacop done background check/risk assessment of these peacefuls? Or cops are clueless?”
When asked about the intention behind putting out the tweet directed at a particular community, Kochattil said that he was only alerting the police to make sure that Hyderabad does not experience any terrorist attack or bombing, referring to past incidents. “I did not mention any religion. I was passing by US Consulate and saw heavy security there. I thought police should be careful since it is better to be safe than sorry. The IT companies are manned by private security guards.”
When asked whether he had any lead or evidence to suggest suspicious activity in IT companies, Kochattil said that he had been a “journalist for two decades” and as per his “sources”, there is “unrest happening”.
What many found unacceptable was the response by the Twitter handle of Cyberabad Police to Kochattil's tweet. “Yes sir…we have specialised wings for collection of advance intel and our teams are on the job 24x7. Thanks for alerting us. Please keep us updated if you find anything suspicious,” the Cyberabad Police tweeted.
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Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi also reacted on the issue and tweeted to the police handle, “…you say “yes sir” please enlighten how many such “jihadi” are working in software companies Kindly give a number if not please clarify what you exactly meant. Will you reply to an MP or only to a Bhakt?”
Kochattil, who said that he was worried about brand Hyderabad in the wake of Iran-US friction, is not new to controversy. He is believed to have been involved in digital and office campaigns of the BJP. His profile bio on twitter reads, “Hate sickulars and commies.”
His posts have, time and again, been perceived as being communal and pro-Hindutva. A few users have also shared images of his past tweets in which he hails Nathuram Godse for killing Mahatma Gandhi besides threatening adherents of a particular ideology or community. In the past, Kochattil had released an audio clip during Kerala floods of 2018, saying that only the rich were affected. Kochattil had attracted considerable criticism over the audio clip. Kochattil claimed he received threats from CPI(M) supporters in Kerala over the incident.
