Kanthapuram’s Houthi outreach in Nimisha Priya case triggers backlash from Sangh Parivar supporters
Thiruvananthapuram: The ongoing efforts to secure the release of Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya from death row in Yemen have sparked a wave of reactions in Kerala, particularly against the involvement of prominent Islamic cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
Hindutva supporter Pratheesh Vishwanath publicly questioned Kanthapuram's role, suggesting a possible connection with Houthi rebels in Yemen. He took to Facebook to ask whether Kanthapuram was intervening in an official diplomatic capacity and why similar efforts were never made for women allegedly converted and taken to Syria. Vishwanath also raised concerns about the absence of visible government involvement in the negotiations.
Rationalist leader Arif Hussain echoed the skepticism, calling for a probe into Kanthapuram's alleged links with the Houthis. He accused the cleric of undermining Islam itself. Meanwhile, Kevin Peter, a leader of the Christian group KAS, criticised the public praise and celebrations surrounding Kanthapuram’s role, calling them excessive and demanding that such glorification be stopped.
These criticisms have triggered a backlash on social media, with a section of users launching a targeted campaign against Kanthapuram.
Despite the controversy, several political leaders have commended Kanthapuram’s intervention, which was seen as pivotal in postponing Nimisha Priya’s execution. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan were among those who publicly appreciated his efforts. Both stated that the people of Kerala support her release and expressed hope that the intervention would lead to a positive outcome.
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Unidentified men set fire to TVK campaign office near Srirangam
Tiruchirapalli (PTI): A campaign office of the actor Vijay-led TVK was allegedly torched by unidentified miscreants in Kamanayakkanpalayam village near Srirangam in the early hours of Friday, police said.
According to the police, the damage is minimal. Fire had engulfed the thatched roof providing shade at the entrance of the building that served as the party’s election office for the Srirangam constituency.
While on social media, a CCTV footage of two unidentified men fleeing on motorbike is being circulated as the culprits, police said the video footage is yet to be verified.
Based on a complaint lodged by TVK, the Pettaivaithalai Police have registered a case and initiated a search for the perpetrators.
திருவரங்கம் தொகுதியில் த.வெ.க வேட்பாளரின் தேர்தல் அலுவலகம் மர்ம நபர்களால் தீவைக்கப்பட்டு சேதப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. @TNelectionsCEO @ECISVEEP#TVKVijay #தமிழகவெற்றிக்கழகம் pic.twitter.com/ImDZfTkuAq
— Thanjavur_District_Head (TVK) (@TVK_Thanjai) May 1, 2026
