Alleging that writer and teacher Deepa Nishant has insulted UDF candidate in Alathur Ramya Haridas through her Facebook post, Wadakkanchery MLA Anil Akkara has sent a compliant to Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena.
In his complaint, Mr. Akkara alleged that Ms. Nishant insulted the Alathur candidate individually and in the name of her caste.
Protest against remarks
There was widespread protest against Ms. Nishant, teacher at Sree Kerala Varma College, about her Facebook post.
“The election is not a music contest at temple festival or reality show. It doesn’t matter how beautifully the candidate sings. The candidate should have a minimum sense on these things,” Ms. Nishant wrote on Facebook about Ms. Haridas, who sings during her campaign meetings.
Many pointed out that the remarks by Ms. Nishant were unwarranted.
MLA seeks action
Ms. Nishant’s comments also insulted the Alathur candidate on the basis of her caste, Mr. Akkara claimed in the compliant.
Mr. Akkara urged the commission to take action against Ms. Nishant, who, he claimed, insulted Ms. Haridas for gathering votes for her opponent.
V.T. Balaram, MLA, also protested against Ms. Nishant’s post.
Haridas’s retort
In response to Ms. Nishant’s post, Ms. Haridas wrote: “I am preparing for a great ideological fight. My music is my tool in the war. Like speech, I use my music to reach people. I am coming from a Dalit family. I couldn’t spend money on music classes. I fine-tuned my music with my effort . Everyone encouraged me. Now Alathur people are also encouraging me.”