Kerala Journalist Aparna Kurup Apologises After Death Threats Over Cleric Remarks

NewsBharati    08-Sep-2026 16:59:01 PM
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News Delhi, Sept 08: Kerala television journalist Aparna Kurup, senior coordinating editor of Malayalam news channel BIG TV, tendered an unconditional apology following a backlash and death threats over remarks she made during a televised debate on controversial comments by Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar on women in public spaces.

Aparna Kurup 

Kurup’s remarks during the Big Dialogue programme triggered strong criticism after she sharply challenged the cleric’s views. The controversy escalated on social media, where she said she faced death threats and intense cyberbullying. Police subsequently registered a case against two persons, including Abdul Basil, on allegations of threatening her with physical assault.

According to reports, Kurup’s family was also targeted. Her photographs and personal details were circulated online, prompting her to approach the police. She said the threats had become serious enough to make her concerned about the safety of her family and child.
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Amid the escalating controversy, BIG TV and Kurup issued an unconditional apology on September 1, saying certain remarks made during the discussion should have been avoided and expressing regret if they had hurt religious sentiments or beliefs. The channel also removed the contentious programme from its social-media platforms.

The apology, however, did not immediately end the controversy. Kurup continued to face online threats, while Kochi City Cyber Police later registered a separate case against her over the remarks made during the programme.
 
 
Kerala television journalist Aparna Kurup, senior coordinating editor of Malayalam news channel BIG TV, tendered an unconditional apology following a backlash and death threats over remarks she made during a televised debate on controversial comments by Sunni cleric Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar on women in public spaces.

Kurup’s remarks during the Big Dialogue programme triggered strong criticism after she sharply challenged the cleric’s views. The controversy escalated on social media, where she said she faced death threats and intense cyberbullying. Police subsequently registered a case against two persons, including Abdul Basil, on allegations of threatening her with physical assault.
 
According to reports, Kurup’s family was also targeted. Her photographs and personal details were circulated online, prompting her to approach the police. She said the threats had become serious enough to make her concerned about the safety of her family and child.

Amid the escalating controversy, BIG TV and Kurup issued an unconditional apology on September 1, saying certain remarks made during the discussion should have been avoided and expressing regret if they had hurt religious sentiments or beliefs. The channel also removed the contentious programme from its social-media platforms.

The apology, however, did not immediately end the controversy. Kurup continued to face online threats, while Kochi City Cyber Police later registered a separate case against her over the remarks made during the programme.
Kerala television journalist Aparna Kurup women Kochi City Cyber