YouTuber Alleges Fort Kochi Cafe Served Beef, Displayed Jinnah Statue; Booked, CM Condemns Claims

News india YouTuber Alleges Fort Kochi Cafe Served Beef, Displayed Jinnah Statue; Booked, CM Condemns Claims

Last Updated:October 25, 2026, 09:56 IST

Fort Kochi police booked YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren over an Instagram video claiming a cafe displayed a Jinnah statue and served beef.

A case has been registered against YouTuber Amrit Singh Darren for allegedly making communal remarks in an Instagram video claiming that a cafe in Fort Kochi, Kerala, displayed a statue of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and served beef.

The video, which was posted around 6 am on October 22, triggered widespread criticism on social media and drew sharp reactions from Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan and senior CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Fort Kochi police registered the case under Sections 353(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In the video, Darren alleged that Kashi Art Cafe in Fort Kochi displayed a silver statue of Jinnah alongside a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and served beef.

His claims prompted reactions on social media, with users both supporting and disputing the allegations.

According to the FIR, the accused allegedly knew that his actions could disturb public peace and potentially lead to clashes between two religious communities.

The FIR also stated that the video claimed the cafe, named after Kashi, a place of religious significance to Hindus, served beef because Muslims lived in large numbers in the surrounding area.

The remarks and the online reactions that followed could create hatred and enmity between religious communities, the FIR said.

Section 353(2) of the BNS deals with statements conducing to public mischief, while Section 192 concerns giving provocation with the intent to cause a riot.

Kerala Chief Minister Condemns Video

Chief Minister VD Satheesan strongly condemned the video, asserting that Kerala remained united and would not tolerate attempts to spread communal hatred.

“The recent Instagram video by a vlogger from outside the state, attempting to spread misinformation about Fort Kochi, portray our state in a negative light, and divide communities, is unacceptable," Satheesan said in a post on X.

He said a case had been registered and that the law would take its course. Satheesan added that the UDF government remained committed to communal harmony and justice without fear or favour.

“A new era for God’s Own Country. No room for hate. We will not allow anyone to even lay a finger on our communal harmony," the Chief Minister said.

Pinarayi Vijayan Accuses Vlogger Of Peddling Hate

Earlier, senior CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the remarks and urged the state government to take legal action against those spreading communal enmity.

In a post on X, Vijayan described Fort Kochi and Varkala as places where cultures met, histories intertwined and diversity thrived.

“Now, a vlogger peddling hate for profit seeks to paint these vibrant destinations in communal colours. Having failed to divide Keralam, the Sangh Parivar is outsourcing its hate campaign to online provocateurs. But Keralam’s secular spirit will not yield to their politics of hatred," Vijayan said.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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