A lawyer has approached the Kerala High Court, alleging that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has engaged in a polarizing campaign to woo Muslim voters ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Advocate Sebin Thomas, the petitioner, contends that certain pamphlets distributed by the LDF in the Ernakulam constituency seek to polarize voters on religious lines, violating electoral laws.
The petitioner highlights specific questions in the pamphlet titled "ഹൈബി ഇടനോട് 25 ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ" (25 questions for Hibi Eden), targeting Hibi Eden, a Lok Sabha member and candidate for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Ernakulam. Questions 24 and 25 allegedly aim to polarize voters by questioning Eden's stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, both concerning Muslims.
Thomas argues that such questions amount to hate speech and violate Section 123(3A) of the Representation of People Act, 1951. He asserts that the LDF's intent is to secure votes from the Muslim community through false statements, potentially impacting the election results in Kerala, where Muslims constitute a significant demographic.
Despite the petitioner's plea to halt pamphlet distribution, the court deemed it futile due to the imminent elections. However, it directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, to address the matter promptly.
The petitioner emphasizes the societal repercussions of hate speech and calls for action to prevent provocation of violence or discrimination. Thomas urges the court to compel the ECI and the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, to address his representations and defer publication of election results until resolved.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on April 25, a day before the Kerala polls. The court's intervention underscores the significance of maintaining electoral integrity and curbing divisive campaigning tactics.