In a move that has stirred controversy and drawn strong reactions from political circles, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the official social media handle of the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The action was taken based on a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary, S Manohar, at High Grounds police station on June 25.
The FIR has been filed under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to defamation and promoting enmity between different groups. The complaint was made in response to a post shared by the BJP’s social media handle, which compared former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Adolf Hitler.
The controversial post, which has since been deleted, drew immediate criticism from the opposition Congress party, who termed it as an attempt to trivialize and belittle one of India’s most influential political figures. The BJP, however, has maintained that the post was not intended to offend or denigrate Indira Gandhi, but rather to highlight alleged similarities in their leadership styles.
This is not the first time that the BJP’s social media activities have come under scrutiny. In recent months, several complaints have been lodged against the party for allegedly spreading fake news and hate speech on its social media platforms. The Election Commission of India has also taken notice of these incidents, issuing warnings to the party over its online conduct.
As the country gears up for crucial elections in key states later this year, political parties are expected to intensify their campaigns and use all available means, including social media, to reach out to voters. The FIR against the BJP’s Karnataka unit serves as a reminder of the sensitivities involved in such activities and the need for political parties to exercise caution and responsibility in their online dealings.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
Tags: FIR, Karnataka BJP’s, Hitler, Indira Gandhi, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee
