The Kerala police have booked 119 people in the last three years for allegedly abusing chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on social media. The disclosure was made by Vijayan in response to a starred question raised by United Democratic Front leader MK Muneer in the state Assembly in January. Vijayan’s response was then uploaded on the Assembly website. NDTV reports that the “offences” include criminal intimidation and uttering obscene words.

Out of the 119 cases, 12 were state government and quasi government employees, and one central government employee, The News Minute reports. The report adds: “PTI reports that in another reply given by the Chief Minister, it has been noted that 26 people were arrested for posting abusive comments or videos against him during the Sabarimala issue. However, it is unclear how many among the 119 cases were registered for casteist abuses on CM Pinarayi Vijayan. In October 2018, a woman was booked for allegedly hurling casteist slurs on the CM.”

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala had said in the Assembly: “Pinarayi Vijayan is walking in the footsteps of Yogi Adityanath. If someone opens their mouth against Pinarayi Vijayan, action is taken.”