# Kerala communal tension over social media content

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kerala-communal-tension-over-social-media-content
> Updated: 2026-10-24T17:52:53.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Kerala have launched investigations following an Instagram video posted by YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren, which allegedly contained inflammatory and communal claims regarding Fort Kochi. The content claimed that a local establishment, Kashi Art Cafe, displayed a statue of Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside Mahatma Gandhi while serving beef. Additionally, the video alleged that the local government receives foreign funding to spread Islam and that the Kochi port is dominated by a Muslim majority.

Fort Kochi police have booked Darren under Sections 353(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for circulating false information intended to promote enmity between groups and provoke riots. 

The incident has drawn sharp political reactions. Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan condemned the video, stating that attempts to portray the state negatively and disturb its social fabric will not be tolerated, asserting there is ‘no room for hate’ in the state. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized the blogger, accusing him of attempting to use hate to generate profit and communalize tourism destinations. In response to the government’s actions, the BJP has accused the state administration of practicing ‘selective secularism’ regarding the incident.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: YouTuber booked in Kerala over communal claims regarding Fort Kochi cafe

YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren faces legal action in Kerala for allegedly spreading communal misinformation about a Fort Kochi cafe's menu and decor to incite religious enmity.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-register-case-against-youtuber-amrit-singh-daran-over-kerala-comments

### 2026-10-24: Kerala Chief Minister condemns vlogger over Fort Kochi video

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan condemned an Instagram video by an out-of-state vlogger for allegedly spreading misinformation about Fort Kochi to incite communal division.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerala-chief-minister-condemns-vlogger-over-fort-kochi-video

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Cite as: Kerala communal tension over social media content. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kerala-communal-tension-over-social-media-content
