After Karnataka BJP posts video targeting Muslims, Congress files ECI complaint: ‘wantonly provoke rioting and promote enmity’

The High Grounds police in Bengaluru registered a case against BJP national president JP Nadda, IT cell head Amit Malviya and state president B Y Vijayendra, under section 125 (Promoting or attempting to promote on ground of religion, race, caste, community or language, feeling of enmity or hatred, between different classes of the citizens of India) of Representation of People Act and 505 (2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The 17-second clip, captioned “Beware.. Beware.. Beware..!” in Kannada, shows Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah placing a large egg labelled ‘Muslims’ in a nest along with ‘SC’, ‘ST’ and ‘OBC’ eggs. After an explosion sound, a large hatchling with a skull cup and beard is shown staring at the three other hatchlings. The video then shows Gandhi feeding all the ‘funds’ to the large hatchling, which grows bigger and pushes out the other three from the nest.

Following this, the Karnataka Congress filed a complaint with the ECI to initiate suitable action, saying such videos were a penal offence. The complaint by Ramesh Babu, Chairman, KPCC Media and Communication wing, was filed against BJP national president J P Nadda, BJP national social media in-charge Amit Malviya, and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra.

The video promoted feelings of enmity and hatred, the complaint read, adding, “It is unfathomable as to how the State level Media Monitoring Committee approved this video uploaded by BJP.” The act of the accused was “clearly with an intention to wantonly provoke rioting and promote enmity between different religions…” the complaint said.

The video comes after recent claims by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that Congress had included Muslims in the Other Backward Classes list, thereby depriving the OBC community. However, reservation for Muslims in Karnataka was implemented during the tenure of JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda when he was the Karnataka CM in 1995.

Recently, the national BJP unit deleted an animated video targeting the Congress, alleging that the party would snatch wealth from non-Muslims and distribute it to Muslims.

In Karnataka, the rest of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies will vote on May 7.