The skit, staged in the auditorium of the Kerala High Court, ignited a dispute and resulted in a complaint claiming that its content was disrespectful and disparaging towards the government. Acting on these accusations, the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, AJ Desai, mandated the suspension.
In a recent development, two officials from the Kerala High Court have been suspended following the staging of a skit that allegedly mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government during the Republic Day celebrations. The suspended officials are Assistant Registrar Sudhish TA and Court Keeper (Higher Grade) Sudheesh PM.
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The play, performed at the High Court’s auditorium, sparked controversy and led to a complaint alleging that its content was derogatory and critical of the government. The Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, AJ Desai, ordered the suspension based on these allegations. The suspension order, issued with immediate effect, stated that the officials were being suspended pending an inquiry and disciplinary action due to the
“derogatory content and criticism against the Government in the stage show performed at the High Court auditorium during the Republic Day celebrations, 2024.”
It is understood that Sudhish TA was responsible for writing the dialogues for the skit. The content of the skit was described as ‘derogatory’ in the order issued by the High Court. The Legal Cell and Bharathiya Abhibashaka Parishad lodged complaints about the skit to the Chief Justice of India, the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, the Union Law Minister, and the Prime Minister himself.
According to Media, the Malayalam skit featured a character resembling Prime Minister Modi. The character allegedly made statements like,
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“If I say that it has medicinal value, my followers will even eat cow dung. That is my strength,”
and
“I say ‘pyara’, but the public hears ‘pora’ (not sufficient, in Malayalam). It is because they don’t love their country. Traitors.”
The latter statement is a play on words, as Prime Minister Modi often addresses the public with ‘mere pyare desh vasiyon’ (my beloved compatriots).
In response to this incident, the Chief Justice has directed the Registrar (Vigilance) to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report at the earliest. Additionally, the Registrar (Administration) has been asked to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the circumstances under which the incident occurred. During their suspension, the officials will receive a subsistence allowance and other admissible allowances under the rules.
This incident highlights the sensitive nature of political satire and its reception in official settings, particularly within the judiciary, which is expected to maintain a stance of neutrality and respect towards government institutions and officials.
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