‘No Hindu MLA in 50 years’: BJP candidate B Gopalakrishnan’s remark triggers row in Kerala; case filed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Office of chief electoral officer Rathan U Kelkar has initiated action against B Gopalakrishnan, BJP candidate in Guruvayur constituency, over a controversial statement made by him. Following that, Guruvayur police on Sunday registered a case against Gopalakrishnan under Section 192 of BNS and Section 125 of the People's Representation Act. As per the FIR, the case has been registered based on the complaint of Sheeba S, who is the returning officer of Guruvayur constituency.

Authorities found that a video shared by Gopalakrishnan allegedly violated provisions of the model code of conduct, which prohibit seeking votes based on caste or communal sentiments and bar the use of places of worship such as churches, temples, or other religious institutions for election campaigning.

Following district collector's directive, the video was removed from social media platforms.

Gopalakrishnan made a statement that despite having around 48% Hindu population in Guruvayur, neither left nor the right fronts have sent a Hindu MLA to the assembly in the past 50 years. He stated that he came to Guruvayur from Kodungallur temple because he heard the call of Lord Guruvayurappan and that this was a mission.

"For the past 50 years, the land of Guruvayurappan has been in the clutches of temple plunderers, temple opponents and communal religious nationalists," he said. He said that the god has called him to drive away such forces and liberate the sacred land of Guruvayur, and he urged the voters of the constituency to join him in this mission.

According to FIR, the accused allegedly carried out an election campaign by triggering religious feelings and inciting a divide among the people. The FIR, however, does not refer to the reported statement of Gopalakrishnan that ‘Guruvayur needed a Hindu MLA'.

Meanwhile, Gopalakrishnan denied the allegations that he had violated the model of code of conduct. He said he cannot be cowed down by registering cases.