Kerala Assembly elections 2026: HC directs EC to decide on alleged communal remarks by BJP leader within two months

The Kerala High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (EC) to decide within two months, a representation against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader B. Gopalakrishnan, for allegedly making communal remarks during a recent poll campaign in the Guruvayur Assembly constituency.

A Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the direction while considering such an allegation in a plea filed by Gokul, a Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) leader. The petitioner alleged that the remarks were a violation of the Representation of People’s Act.

While noting that the video has been removed from social media sites, the court referred to the potential harm that the remarks could cause to the community.

Mr. Gopalakrishnan, who is in the fray as an NDA candidate from the Guruvayur constituency, allegedly spoke about the inadequate representation of Hindu candidates/MLAs from the constituency which has 48% Hindus and is home to the famous Sri Krishna Temple.

Following the remark, the police had registered a case in this regard. While refraining from making any observations on the matter, the court said that the petitioner ought to first pursue the remedy before the EC, since a representation in this regard is pending before it.