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Finally EC acts, directs 'X' to remove BJP's hate video

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru/New Delhi: Three days after its initial posting and just thirty minutes before the closure of polling in Karnataka's remaining seats, the Election Commission (EC) issued a statement urging X (formerly Twitter) to remove a video shared by the BJP's Karnataka unit, which openly incited hatred against Muslims.

However, this action came after the Lok Sabha election campaigning in the state had concluded and midway during voting for its Lok Sabha seats.

In its communication to X, the EC deemed the video "violative of the extant legal framework."

Yet, it has not specified any punitive measures against the BJP for disseminating the video.

The video, presented in animation, portrays Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah placing a large egg labeled 'Muslims' into a nest already occupied by smaller eggs marked 'SC,' 'ST,' and 'OBC' respectively.

After the eggs hatch, Gandhi directs all his 'funds' towards the disproportionately larger, skull-capped, and bearded 'Muslim' hatchling, which proceeds to eject the others from their nest.

Subsequently, Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, and the Muslim hatchling share a laugh.

The ECs directive emerged three days after the video's release, coinciding with the conclusion of polling in the third phase across all remaining seats in Karnataka.

Moreover, the EC shared a notice sent by Karnataka's cybercrime division to X on Sunday, stipulating the video's removal due to violations of the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Following a complaint filed by the Congress's Karnataka unit with the Bengaluru police, an FIR was lodged against BJP president J.P. Nadda, its IT cell chief Amit Malviya, and its Karnataka state chief B.Y. Vijayendra.

"The actions of the accused individuals are evidently intended to incite rioting and foster enmity between religions, prejudicial to harmony. Additionally, they intimidate SC/ST community members from voting for a particular candidate and provoke hostility against SC/ST community members," stated Ramesh Babu, Karnataka Congress's media and communication chairman, in the complaint.