Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje Faces EC Action Over 'Tamilians Trained' Remark: Trouble Mounts

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has been directed by the Election Commission of India to take immediate appropriate action on the complaint filed by DMK against the alleged violation of MCC by BJP leader and Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje while addressing reporters in Bengaluru.

A row was triggered when the BJP minister stated that "people who come from Tamil Nadu plant bombs here (in Bengaluru), people from Delhi chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans, and people who come from Kerala were involved in acid attacks".

Photo Credit: PTI

DMK Alleges Violation of RP Act by Shobha Karandlaje

Earlier, the Election Commission (EC) was approached by the DMK, the ruling party of Tamil Nadu, against Shobha Karandlaje. In the complaint to the EC, it was alleged by DMK that Karandlaje and BJP violated Sections 123(3A) and 125 of the RP Act, as well as the Model Code of Conduct.

A letter to the Chief Election Commissioner by DMK organisation secretary RS Bharathi stated, "The socially divisive statement made by the Hon'ble Minister has significantly harmed the relations between the two communities, and has led to animosity and hatred between them, which has been further amplified by social media and electronic print media. The statement also tantamounts to hate speech."

"It was promoted enmity and caused immense tension between the people of Tamil Nadu, who have been alleged to be the culprit behind planting the bomb at the café in Bangalore, and the people of Karnataka, who were the victims of the bomb blast," it added. Meanwhile, the complaint was made even after an apology was issued by Shobha Karandlaje to the people of Tamil Nadu.

Taking to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Shobha Karandlaje expressed, "To my beloved Tamil brothers and sisters, I want to clarify that I intended to illuminate, not to cause distress. However, I understand that my words have caused pain to some, and for that, I sincerely apologize. My remarks were specifically aimed at individuals trained in the Krishnagiri forest, associated with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamil Nadu affected by my words, I deeply seek your forgiveness from the bottom of my heart. Additionally, I retract my earlier comments."