In a recent ruling, the Kerala High Court has instructed 20 BJP councillors of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to retake their oath within four weeks due to concerns raised about the manner in which they were initially sworn in. The dispute originated in January when a petition filed by CPI(M) councillor S.P. Deepak challenged the validity of the oath taken by the BJP members, alleging deviations from the prescribed format by invoking specific deities.
The High Court had previously highlighted that elected representatives must adhere to a statutory format when taking the oath, either by invoking the name of God or making a solemn affirmation. The court questioned the legitimacy of taking oaths in the names of multiple gods and deities, emphasizing the need for compliance with the established guidelines. As a result of the petition, the court has mandated the 20 councillors to undergo a fresh oath-taking process within the specified timeframe.
S.P. Deepak, the petitioner, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that it validated his concerns regarding the procedural irregularities in the oath-taking process. He contended that some councillors had deviated from the prescribed wording by invoking specific deities during the oath, which he argued rendered the oaths legally questionable. The court’s directive also addressed the petitioner’s request for an interim order to restrict councillors from participating in corporation activities until a final decision is reached.
The BJP’s victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation marked a significant political shift in the state, with the party securing control after the CPI(M)’s long-standing rule. The court’s intervention underscores the importance of upholding procedural norms and adherence to statutory requirements in governance matters.
