An investigation has been launched against media activist Priya Solomon in Kerala for her role in organizing the controversial ‘Cutting South’ Conference, reports Malyalam news portal Janmabhumi. She is suspected of receiving funds from Canada for the separatist media conference in Kochi in late March.

Priya Solomon is the wife of Josy Joseph, one of the organizers of the event. Joseph is the founder of ‘Confluence Media’ and executive editor of the controversial online website ‘Azhimugam.’ Others involved include Dhanya Rajendran, the co-founder, and editor-in-chief of The News Minute.

Although Solomon is a Christian, it is alleged that her relatives in Canada have links with the Khalistan movements. The Intelligence Bureau is also probing Joseph’s business dealings. They are interested in foreign investments received by ‘Fresh to Home,’ an online fish/meat marketing firm run by Josie Joseph’s family members, which are also under investigation.

Dubious Popular Front of India (PFI) leader Siddique Kappan, arrested in Uttar Pradesh (UP), last worked as an ‘Azhimugam’ correspondent. Kappan was detained for attempting to incite caste violence over the tragic death of a Hindu SC girl in Hathras, UP, on 5 October 2020. The controversial Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) worked hard to get Kappan released on bail and succeeded. 

The conference titled ‘Cutting South’ was organized under the joint auspices of Kerala Media Academy, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Confluence Media, Newslaundry, and The News Minute. The logo of Cutting South was controversial because South Bharat was depicted separately. Now it appears they accepted foreign funds secretly for the conference.

In connection with the separatist incident, the IB is interrogating the organizers with the cooperation of the state police departments. ‘The News Minute’ editor Dhanya Rajendran was questioned by the IB police team at the Bengaluru Central Police Station. Her statement was recorded.

Dhanya Rajendran said in a statement that the conference’s climate change session was sponsored by the Canadian High Commission and received money for it. The official announcement was that the Kerala Media Academy entirely bore the expenses of the conference. It now seems they also received huge funds from multiple sources.

‘Fresh to Home,’ an online fish marketing firm run by Joseph’s family members, has quickly raised over 2000 crores of foreign investment. This is the first Kerala venture to attract investment from online marketing company Amazon. Dubai billionaire Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair is also an investor.

It is being investigated whether there is any other reason behind establishing fish trading in Kerala and receiving such heavy investment from the United Arab Emirates.

Cutting South

As Bharat’s stature grows, those opposed to it have banded together to wage an assault to halt our development. Although this is nothing new, current initiatives have been better planned and sponsored. The conference took place when India was preparing to host several G20-related activities.

George Soros, a controversial US billionaire whom External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had referred to as an “old, opinionated, and dangerous person,” has promised to donate $1 billion to counter the rise of nationalist sentiment in nations like India. He allegedly funds separatist narratives, atrocity literature, civil society organizations, and media outlets to foment social division.

The coalition in power in Kerala had provided the “Cutting South” conference with more than just moral backing; it provided men and material support. This is the most concerning part of the separatist goal of dividing South Bharat from the North. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a few of his top colleagues, and Congress leader VD Satheesan participated in the ceremony.

The purpose of the gathering was to provide academic support and momentum for anti-India parties, notably the outlawed PFI, who wanted to split up Bharat and encourage secessionism. By aggressively marketing the event as a Global Media Festival, the organizers intended to lure BJP officials into a trap. Thankfully, BJP officials and many well-intentioned journalists declined to participate.

After the Congress won in Karnataka, Congress, and anti-BJP forces intensified their campaign to cut south Bharat from the rest of the country. The Cutting South campaign is getting stronger as the BJP has disappeared in South India. Cyber comrades have also intensified their campaign on social media in this manner. Incidentally, BJP rules Pondicherry in South Bharat.

During the anti-CAA protest, PFI forged alliances with secessionist groups, Maoists, and urban Naxals. Shaheen Bagh protests received financial and logistical assistance from the Khalistani factions. Islamists, including a former JNU student, incited Muslims to use violence to cut Assam and the North East off from the mainland.

In several states of South Bharat, efforts are already being made to create divisions between communities. The recent disturbances in some areas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka brought on by language chauvinists are a part of the bigger plan.

It is regrettable that Sharjeel Imam, who called for the division of Bharat, is incarcerated while those who called for the carving of the South had the support of political parties and are openly plying their propaganda. It is time for the Centre to focus on the South to stop these groups from advancing their divisive agenda.