A Kerala BJP leader has asked acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan to “go to the Moon” for complaining against the misuse of the “Jai Shri Ram” chant.

Adoor responded by telling a Malayalam newspaper: “BJP leaders want me to go to the Moon because Pakistan must be filled up by now.”

The filmmaker was among several citizens who had written an open letter to the Prime Minister, expressing anguish at the way vigilantes were defiling the name of Lord Ram by turning “Jai Shri Ram” into a “provocative war cry” and perpetrating violence in the name of religion.

On Thursday, Kerala BJP leader B. Gopalakrishnan, who happens to be the filmmaker’s namesake, posted on Facebook: “If Adoor Gopalakrishnan can’t tolerate the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, it would be good if he moves to other planets after changing his name.”

The BJP leader then referred to Adoor’s name. “Krishna and Ram are the same. This is the month of the Ramayan (when the Ramayan is read at Kerala homes). Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ will be heard in India and neighbouring nations. If he doesn’t want to hear them, he can register at Sriharikota and go to the Moon,” he added, alluding to the rocket launch centre in Andhra Pradesh from where Chandrayaan-2 was launched recently.

“People voted for the BJP to raise chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. We will chant it again and, if needed, we will chant it in front of Adoor’s home.”

The portal of the Malayala Manorama newspaper later quoted Adoor, who wondered whether Pakistan was too crammed by now. Sections of the Sangh parivar, including the BJP, have a habit of asking critics and those who question the Narendra Modi government to leave India and go to Pakistan.

“If there is a Chandrayaan-3 mission and if they issue me with a ticket, I shall be happy to grab the opportunity to move around the orbit,” Manorama quoted Adoor as saying.

“Gopalakrishnan should rectify his mistake and apologise since he has only justified mob lynching,” the filmmaker added.

Adoor explained the relevance of the letter addressed to the Prime Minister.

“Our letter was in protest against the use of Shri Ram’s name as a war cry. It has become a trend to attack those who belong to religious minorities over frivolous issues and force them to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ The attackers believe they can get away with the crime because they won’t be identified individually from a mob. But the perpetrators of such crimes deserve the death penalty,” he told the daily.

“The BJP leader is saying that I insulted Lord Ram. Only a crooked mind can come up with such an interpretation,” he added. “None of us has criticised anyone or said anything against the government. There is no need to see any of us as enemies.”

He said: “Everyone has the right to live. Violation of this right is wrong. If the government fails to act against this, it will cause unrest in society. We will have to pay a huge price.”

Kerala chief minister and CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan stood by Adoor and said in a statement: “None need think that they can oust those having a contrary opinion. There is no question of allowing any such moves.”

Noting that Adoor’s films brought accolades to the state, the chief minister said the Sangh parivar threat against the renowned filmmaker was unacceptable and should be condemned.