Three explosions occurred during a prayer gathering at a convention center in Kalamassery, Ernakulam, Kerala. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has connected these blasts to a virtual speech delivered by a Hamas leader during a protest event in the state. Chandrasekhar expressed concerns that Kerala is witnessing a rise in radicalism, and he urged Malayalis to address this issue.
It's noteworthy that Chandrasekhar has also held the Congress and the Left parties in Kerala accountable for the series of blasts in Ernakulam. His comments followed a virtual participation by Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in a pro-Palestine demonstration in the state.
The explosions resulted in one fatality and 52 injuries. Kerala BJP Chief K. Surendran has called for further investigation by both Kerala police and central agencies. Additionally, prominent CPI(M) leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for a ceasefire. On the other hand, Kerala Congress Chief K. Sudhakaran attributed the blasts to a failure in vigilance and intelligence.
The Kerala Director General of Police confirmed that the blasts were caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and a man named Dominic Martin claimed responsibility for the explosions. He surrendered to the police in the Thrissur district. Security measures have been heightened, particularly around railway and bus stations, and bordering states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have also increased security checks.
