John Brittas' speech: Notice to university organisers; General Secretary and President should appear in person and give explanation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Notice from the Sub-Collector, who is the Election Nodal Officer, to the organizers for holding a staff meeting at the Kerala University campus with the participation of John Brittas MP in violation of the Vice Chancellor's ban. University Employees Union General Secretary AS Sajith Khan and President Santosh Nair should appear in person tomorrow at 2 pm and give an explanation.

The notice demanded an explanation for violating the Election Commission's rule that government institutions should not be used for campaigning by political parties under any circumstances.

The Registrar had informed the Sub-Collector that the organizers were prohibited from holding John Brittas' lecture based on the order of the VC. The complaint to the Election Commission was filed by the BJP's election convener. Vice Chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal had forbaded the meeting saying that inviting representatives of political parties to the campus and letting them address the staff members, including the ones assigned to election duty, while the code of conduct is in place is a violation of the code of conduct.

The registrar had informed the Election Commission that John Brittas delivered the speech as part of the monthly program of the employees and that he did not make a political speech and was not aware of any vote solicitation. However, the complainants gave the Election Commission video clips of John Brittas' speech in the meeting where Brittas was personally blaming the VC, criticizing the central government and reminding the importance of elections.