Brittas delivers lecture at Kerala University despite being stopped by Vice Chancellor; Election Commission seeks explanation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has courted a controversy by delivering a lecture at Kerala University despite being stopped by the Vice Chancellor citing the Model Code of Conduct. Following this, the Election Commission issued a notice to the university registrar seeking an explanation. In its notice, the Election Commission demanded the varsity to explain under what circumstances Rajya Sabha MP Brittas gave a political speech at the university despite the Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission took the action based on the complaint by the NDA. The university stated that joint registrar Harikumar has been assigned to give an explanation tomorrow.

Brittas delivered the lecture on 'Indian Democracy: Challenges and Duties' at the Kerala University Employees Union's monthly lecture programme. The venue was the union office at the varsity headquarters. VC Dr Mohanan Kunummel had given written instructions to the registrar to stop the programme, pointing out the Model Code of Conduct and the election responsibility of the employees. However, Brittas arrived at the venue during the lunch break and delivered the lecture. Meanwhile, the union has explained that it was not a programme with a political agenda.

The Collector sought an explanation from the registrar as per the instruction of the Election Commission on the complaint of the NDA that it was a political meeting. Brittas had criticized the Prime Minister, the BJP and the Vice Chancellor in his speech. Brittas said that people who have no understanding of democracy are holding the position of the VC. He also questioned how the VC could stop the debate organized by the union.