R. Balakrishna Pillai. Onmanorama/File photoKottarakkara: As controversy rages on Kerala Congress (B) chairman K. Balakrishna Pillai's alleged derogatory comments against minority communities, the former minister Tuesday said that his words were distorted and that he only had respect for Muslims and Christians.
“I'm not against Muslims or any other minority communities. I express heartfelt regret, if my words had hurt the sentiments of anyone,” Balakrishna Pillai said during a press meet.
In an audio clip of the purported speech, which he is said to have made at Kamukumchery in Pathanapuram, Pillai can be heard denigrating the Christian and Muslim communities.
However, Pillai said Tuesday that the comment was made during a private meeting of the NSS and that it was not a public gathering. He further alleged some people with vested interests had recorded the audio and edited it for creating this row.
He went on to list out the number of Muslim and Christian worship places he frequently visits.
A probe was ordered into the speech Monday evening after the Kollam Rural SP got a complaint of alleged hate speech against Pillai. The Kerala Congress (B) chief's son Ganesh Kumar MLA had also expressed regret over his father's speech.
