Nadda, Amit Malviya, and Vijayendra Face Legal Action in Bengaluru for Social Media Post
Credit: Business Standard
06.05.2024: Bengaluru: A recent social media post has landed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J P Nadda, the party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya, and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra in legal trouble. An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed against them for allegedly intimidating members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, urging them not to support a particular candidate. The incident, which occurred on May 6, has garnered attention for its violation of the model code of conduct.
The complaint, lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) with both the Election Commission and the police on May 5, prompted action against the BJP leaders. They stand accused of breaching sections of the Representation of People Act and section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to statements promoting enmity between social classes.
At the center of the controversy is a video uploaded on the social media platform ‘X’ via the official account of the Karnataka State BJP, allegedly operated by Mr. Malviya under the instructions of Mr. Nadda, Mr. Vijayendra, and the Social Media incharge of Karnataka BJP. The video, posted on May 4, features animated representations of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It depicts the SC, ST, and OBC communities as “eggs” in a nest, with Rahul Gandhi planting a large egg labeled as the Muslim community. The video insinuates that funds are directed towards the Muslim community, leading to the exclusion of the SC, ST, and OBC communities.
The KPCC’s complaint asserts that such actions aim to incite riots and foster animosity between different religions. Moreover, it alleges that the post intimidates SC/ST members against supporting a particular candidate, exacerbating discord within the community.
This legal action underscores the growing scrutiny over social media content during electoral processes and highlights the potential ramifications of disseminating inflammatory material online.