'Shocking and disturbing': BJP-run corporation in Kerala fines party Rs 20L for PM Narendra Modi banners

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP-ruled Thiruvananthapuram city corporation slapped a fine of Rs 19.7 lakh on the BJP's own district committee for erecting unauthorised flex boards, banners and party flags in public spaces ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state capital on Friday. The action followed widespread public complaints and violations of high court orders aimed at preventing the obstruction of pedestrian pathways and misuse of public land for political display.Civic officials said a formal penalty notice was served to BJP Thiruvananthapuram district president Karamana Jayan after the party failed to comply with repeated directives to take down the installations, many of which carried the images of Modi and other senior BJP leaders. These were installed on footpaths, road dividers and other public areas without prior permission, prompting objections from residents and public rights groups. Despite an order from the corporation on Thursday evening that demanded the banners be removed within two hours, compliance was only partial, officials said. While a few boards blocking footpaths were taken down, numerous others remained in place, leading the civic body to carry out a detailed survey of unauthorised installations along major stretches from Thiruvananthapuram airport to Putharikandam Maidan, a key route in the PM's itinerary. Based on this assessment, the fine was calculated and issued.In addition to the fine, the matter was escalated to law enforcement. The Cantonment police registered an FIR late Friday night against Jayan, based on a complaint filed by the corporation secretary. According to the FIR, the flex boards and banners were installed including from Palayam junction to Pulimoodu junction. The case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Kerala Police Act.Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S told TOI that the action was not politically motivated. "This is a routine process," he said, noting that the civic body previously imposed fines on other institutions, political parties and govt units for similar violations. "This is not the first time a political party was fined. We fined the CPM when it was in power and recently penalised the PRD too. These actions are based on high court orders, not politics," he added.The high court on Friday expressed strong displeasure over the continued installation of unauthorised boards and flags in public spaces across the state, describing the practice as "shocking and disturbing" despite earlier judicial orders to curb it. The court stressed that visible on-ground compliance, not just verbal assurances, must be evident to uphold pedestrian rights and prevent misuse of civic amenities. Authorities were directed to file detailed enforcement reports.