John Brittas gets Rajya Sabha notice over alleged ‘seditious’ article critical of Amit Shah
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New Delhi: An article he had written in The Indian Express caused the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to a send show cause notice to CPI(M) MP John Brittas on a complaint by Kerala BJP general secretary, who alleged that the article which is critical of Home Minister Amit Shah, was highly divisive and polarising and a ‘seditious conduct.’
P Sudheer in his complaints to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the article titled ‘Perils of Propaganda’ which was written by Brittas condemned the remarks Amit Shah had made on Kerala, urged to take appropriate action against the Rajya Sabha member for his alleged seditious conduct, according to The Indian Express.
Sources within the Rajya Sabha Secretariat have confirmed that a show-cause notice has been sent to John Brittas, a CPI(M) MP, following a complaint made by P Sudheer.
TIE report has confirmed the sending of a show-cause notice contacting Brittas, who said that he met with the Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, regarding the complaint. He stated that it was a cordial discussion and that he had been able to explain his standpoint. Brittas maintains that voicing one's opinion, including via writing, is a fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression. He hopes that the Chairman, who is responsible for the rights of Rajya Sabha members, will provide a fitting response and defend his rights.
Although Dhankar's office declined to comment, sources within the Secretariat have stated that Brittas has been asked to provide a written explanation of the article. Despite attempts to contact Sudheer, he has not responded. P D T Achary, a former secretary general of the Lok Sabha, has stated that presiding officers of the two Houses of Parliament do not have jurisdiction over such an issue. He explained that if an MP writes an article, the Chairman or Speaker cannot take any action against them, as it falls outside of their disciplinary jurisdiction.
In February, while addressing a rally in Mangaluru, Shah criticized the "appeasement policies" of the Congress and stated that they could not "protect" Karnataka. He then added, "There is Kerala in your neighbourhood. I do not wish to speak more. Only the BJP under the leadership of Modi can protect Karnataka." The comment drew a sharp response from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who asked Shah to elaborate on what he meant.
In an article for The Indian Express titled 'Perils of Propaganda,' John Brittas criticized Home Minister Amit Shah for his comments about Kerala. Brittas accused Shah of making innuendos against the state and engaging in majoritarian politics.
Brittas argued that Shah's comments were symptomatic of his dislike for Kerala and his tendency towards muscular posturing. Brittas also accused Shah of attempting to turn India into a Hindu Rashtra, replacing the Constitution with the Manu Smriti. Brittas stated that Kerala has tirelessly resisted the BJP's designs.