Karnataka Police Summons BJP Chief JP Nadda, IT Cell Head Amit Malviya Over Controversial Social Media Post

In response to controversial messaging during the election season, summons have been issued by the Karnataka Police to BJP chief JP Nadda and IT cell head Amit Malviya regarding a post on social media platform 'X' attributed to the party's state unit.

This action has been taken after two days as an FIR was lodged on Monday by the Congress against BJP president JP Nadda, the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya, and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra for allegedly intimidating members of the SC and ST community not to vote for a particular candidate.

According to the police statement, a case has been registered under sections of the Representation of People Act and section 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between classes).

In the complaint, a video uploaded on the social media platform 'X' by the official account of Karnataka State BJP, which is alleged to be operated by Malviya on instructions from Nadda, Vijayendra, and the Social Media in charge of Karnataka BJP, on May 4, was cited by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, as reported by Economic Times.

The said video posted on social media featured animated characters of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In the clip, the SC, ST, and OBC communities are portrayed as "eggs" in a nest and it also suggests Rahul Gandhi planting a big egg labelled as the Muslim community.

It is projected as though funds are being fed to the chick depicting the Muslim community, which then kicks out SC, ST, and OBC communities. The complaint alleged that the act of the accused persons was to wantonly provoke rioting and promote enmity between different religions and is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony apart from intimidating members of the SC/ST community not to vote for a particular candidate and causing enmity against members of the SC/ST community, as per media reports.

The action followed after a formal complaint was registered by the KPCC with the Election Commission and police on Sunday alleging a violation of the model code of conduct.