Kerala HC against use of 'kodathi vilakku' term for religious event at Guruvayur temple
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Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court has objected to the use of the term 'kodathi vilakku' (court lamp) in connection with a religious event at the Guruvayur temple in Thrissur district, saying it gives an impression that courts were organising the same.
The High Court, in an official memorandum (OM) issued on November 1, has said that as secular democratic institutions under the Constitution, "courts cannot be seen engaging in activities that promote any particular religion".
The OM has been issued on the instruction of Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar, the judge-in-charge of Thrissur district.
The memorandum has said that it has been noticed by the High Court that an annual religious event called 'kodathi vilakku' was being hosted at the Guruvayur temple by an organising committee comprising members of the Chavakkad Munsiff Court Bar Association.
"While there can be no objection to the members of the Bar Association organising such events, either individually or collectively, the use of the name 'kodathi vilakku' is unacceptable for it gives the impression that the courts in our state are in some way connected with the organisation of the event," the memorandum has said.
It has also said that the fact that judicial officers of all ranks, including those professing other religions, "feel compelled/obliged to attend the annual event" which is also attended by the High Court judges, "indicates the extent to which the term 'kodathi vilakku' can be misleading".
"Accordingly, while steps are being explored to prevent the organisers of the event from using the name 'kodathi vilakku' in future, the judicial officers in Thrissur Judicial District are advised not to actively involve themselves in the organising of the said event, either by consenting to be a part of the organising committee or in any other manner. They shall also not feel compelled or obliged to attend the event," the High Court has said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
