Kerala Minister Who Said Indian Constitution Is Most Suited For Exploitation Resigns, FIR Registered

The Kerala Minister for Fisheries and Cultural Affairs Saji Cheriyan who is facing protests from the opposition parties resigned on Wednesday late evening.

An FIR has been registered against him after his resignation, reportedly under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act, 1971 pursuant to the direction of a Magistrate's Court on a petition moved by an Ernakulam-based lawyer for allegedly insulting the Constitution.

Section 2 of the said 1971 Act, inter alia, says, "Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, difiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both."

Saji Cheriyan, an MLA belonging to the CPI(M) had said "The Constitution was prepared by the British and the Indians wrote it down. As a result of its implementation in the Country over the past 75 years, no matter who says otherwise, I will say that the Constitution is most suited for exploitation".

He had also said, "The richest person is able to conquer the world. Naturally, when such a process happens, the government will always side with such process. To protect such economic policy and interests, suppressing the majority, the government, judiciary and the executive will be on the same side".

The Minister announced his resignation in a press conference held by him on Wednesday evening. He claimed that his remarks about the Constitution of India were 'twisted'. 

The State Assembly was adjourned on Wednesday after disruption by the opposition parties over the remarks of the then Minister. The Kerala Governor had sought visuals of the speech made by the Minister from the state government.

Saji Cheriyan was a Minister from May 2021 after being elected from the Chengannur assembly constituency of Kerala.