The Kerala High Court has instructed the Election Commission of India to review a complaint within two months regarding alleged communal statements made by BJP leader B. Gopalakrishnan during the Guruvayur Assembly election campaign. The court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) leader Gokul seeking action against the NDA candidate for purportedly breaching election regulations through communal social media posts. Gopalakrishnan, a candidate in the Guruvayur constituency, had reportedly criticized rival parties for not nominating Hindu candidates.
The comments made by Gopalakrishnan led to legal repercussions, with a case being filed against him at the Guruvayoor Temple Police Station under relevant laws. The Court acknowledged that a First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged, and the contentious video had been removed. It also noted that the petitioner had lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India, which is still pending.
The Court stressed that as the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, it was essential for the ECI to make a decision on the issue. Refraining from passing judgment on the allegations due to the ongoing election process, the Court directed the Election Commission to address the representation within two months of receiving the directive. The petition was thereby resolved, leaving the Election Commission to determine the appropriate actions in this politically charged case.
