Bengaluru police on Wednesday summoned BJP president JP Nadda and party IT wing chief Amit Malaviya over a social media post that depicted the Congress appeasing Muslims at the expense of Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Both have been asked to join the Bengaluru High Grounds police station for questioning within seven days.
“For the purpose of investigation of this case, you are hereby directed to appear before the Investigating Officer at High Grounds Police Station by 11 am within seven days of receipt of this notice,” the summons said.
On May 5, the police issued a notice to social media platform X to remove an animated video posted by the BJP state unit. The move comes after the Election Commission (EC) wrote to the police on the same day asking them to initiate the necessary action.
The Karnataka Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission on Sunday regarding the video.
Following this, High Ground Police in Bengaluru charged JP Natta, Amit Malaviya and Karnataka State President PY Vijayendra under Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act (religion, race, caste, community or language, enmity or hatred towards citizens of India). A case was registered under sections 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to sources from the Election Commission, the recording violates the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which defines “malpractices” as including promoting enmity between communities, castes and races. Sources said the Election Commission took serious note of the fact that despite a valid legal demand from the office of the Karnataka Chief Executive Officer, the registration was not de-registered. As reported in The Indian Express on Tuesday, the Karnataka Chief Executive’s office requested the social media platform to remove the post, but the Election Commission intervened as the post remained undeleted for four days.
Polling for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka concluded on Tuesday.
