Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday launched a scathing attack against the BJP and the Congress-led UDF, alleging that the Sangh Parivar is misrepresenting Malappuram district, with the grand old party supporting this narrative.

Vijayan, who recently faced backlash for remarks linking gold smuggling and hawala transactions in Malappuram to "anti-national activities," said the government is taking strict action against gold smuggling and that crimes should be viewed as crimes, not attributed to any particular community.

"There are efforts to link these issues to a specific community, but the government will not endorse that perspective," the CM stated, clarifying his earlier controversial remarks about the Muslim-majority Malappuram district.

The opposition Congress-led UDF had targeted Vijayan over his Malappuram remarks, accusing him of unfairly portraying the Muslim-majority district, prompting demands for an apology and clarification.

While inaugurating the by-election convention of CPI(M)-led LDF candidate U R Pradeep at the Chelakkara Assembly constituency on Friday, the chief minister accused the BJP and RSS of trying to sow communal division, claiming that Congress has backed this propaganda.

"Congress opposed the formation of Malappuram district alongside Jana Sangh, even labelling it a 'small Pakistan.' However, the LDF's decision to establish Malappuram district has been validated," he said.

Malappuram district was formed on 16 June 1969, during the government led by legendary Marxist leader EMS Namboodiripad. The decision to create the district aimed to address the vastness of Kozhikode district and promote development in an area with a significant minority population.

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday told the Delhi High Court to expeditiously hear the bail plea of student activist Sharjeel Imam in an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) case related to Delhi riots which took place in February 2020.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and S C Sharma said it was not inclined to entertain the plea, which also sought bail under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Imam's counsel, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, said the bail plea had been pending since 2022 while clarifying he was not pressing for bail at the present stage.

The top court noted the high court would be hearing the case on November 25.

"This being the writ petition filed under Article 32 of the constitution, we are not inclined to entertain the same. However, petitioner shall be at liberty to request the high court to hear the bail application as expeditiously as possible preferably on November 25, as fixed by the high court. The high court shall consider the said request," held the bench.

Imam and several others were booked under the stringent provisions UAPA and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the “masterminds” of the "larger conspiracy" behind the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. The violence erupted during the protests against the CAA and NRC.