‘Campaign Against Hate Speech’ files complaint against Tejasvi Surya in Hanuman Chalisa row
A delegation from the "Campaign Against Hate Speech" met with election officials and police authorities in Karnataka on Wednesday to address concerns regarding alleged hate speech by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. The delegation filed complaint against Tejasvi Surya, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The delegation first met with Mr. Tushar Girinath, District Election Officer, to lodge a complaint against Tejasvi Surya for purported violations of various legal provisions, including Section 123(a) of the Representation of People Act, the Model Code of Conduct, and sections 153(a), 295(a), and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
Additionally, they approached the local police official to file complaints against Shobha Karandlaje, Tejasvi Surya, PC Mohan, and others for allegedly engaging in hate speech and conducting protests in unauthorized locations. The complaints cite violations of sections 153(a), 295(a), and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
Furthermore, a complaint was submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka and the Election Commission of India, outlining the grievances and requesting action.
The complaints stem from statements made by Tejasvi Surya on March 18, 2024, via a social media platform, wherein he allegedly targeted the Muslim community and attempted to incite hatred between Hindu and Muslim communities. Surya's remarks, which garnered significant online traction, accused the Congress party of fostering anti-Hindu sentiments and called for action against individuals involved in an alleged assault on a Hindu shopkeeper.
The Campaign Against Hate Speech asserted that Surya's statements, viewed by millions, have the potential to impact communal harmony and influence voters during the elections. They assert that Surya's remarks amount to hate speech and a call to violence against the Muslim community.
“It is pertinent to note the wide reach of Mr. Surya’s statements, having 1 million views, 587 comments, 5.4k retweets and 13 likes. He himself commands a following of 1.3 million persons. Thus, his statements have wide reaching consequences on voters, communal harmony, and the elections. Subsequently, he has attempted to stoke communal hatred by calling for Hanuman Chalisa to be everywhere and for this to start from the victim shopkeeper’s shop,” the complaint draft added.
The delegation contended that Surya's actions violate various legal provisions, including the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits activities that exacerbate existing differences or create mutual hatred between different religious or linguistic groups. They argued that Surya's statements are also in violation of sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 123(3A) of the Representation of People's Act, 1951.
The delegation urged authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against Surya and the BJP, emphasizing that hate speech has no place in society, particularly during election campaigns. They also provided video evidence of Surya's statements and called for immediate prosecution.
“His statements amount to clear violation of the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct Rule I “General Conduct” under Clause (1), no party or candidate “..shall indulge in any activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.”. This prohibits in clear terms the aggravation of existing differences, the creation of mutual hatred, or the causing of tension between different castes, communities, religions, or languages. Mr. Tejasvi Surya’s statements are a direct and clear violation of the model code of conduct as well and hence, appropriate action may be initiated against the BJP and the candidate,” the complaint stated.
“Statements such as those made by Mr. Tejasvi Surya, if left unpunished, undermine the secular fabric of our Constitution and severely strain the quality of equality enshrined in Article 14. These statements, which effectively deny equal citizenship to religious communities, are in gross violation of the anti-discrimination principle underpinning our Constitution. Every person has the right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes in its fold the right to live free from fear. In order to protect these core values of our Constitution, and to ensure that religious communities are not subjected to hate speech and denial of citizenship, we urge you to take urgent action in this regard,” it added.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati, Advocate Shilpa Prasad who was a part of the Campaign Against Hate Speech’s delegation said the Nodal Officer at the Chief Electoral Officer received the complaint and has assured them of following the process and initiating action if the complaint and the allegations were to found to be true. Shilpa also added that the complaint was also submitted to the District Election Officer Tushar Girinath and the local police authorities.
Shilpa was accompanied by three other members from the Campaign Against Hate Speech – Vinay, Aishwarya, Tanveer in the delegation that met the official to submit the complaint.
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Drugs worth Rs 6 crore seized in Bengaluru, five arrested
Bengaluru, Nov 22: In separate operations, Bengaluru Police arrested five individuals and intercepted two major drug consignments worth over Rs 6 crore, officials said on Friday.
Police suspect the drugs were being smuggled into Bengaluru for illegal sales during the New Year celebrations in the city and surrounding areas.
In the first case, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police seized banned drugs such as MDMA crystals, cocaine, and ecstasy pills from two foreigners allegedly involved in their sale under the Soladevanahalli police station limits.
"We seized 1.5 kg of MDMA crystals, 202 grams of cocaine, and 12 ecstasy pills. We also seized two mobile phones. The total value of the drugs is around Rs 3 crore," Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda told reporters.
The CCB received a tip-off and arrested the two foreigners. "During the investigation, we found that they had come to India five years ago on medical visas. They were involved in selling drugs in Mumbai and Delhi, with complaints against them in Mumbai. Now, they are selling banned drugs in Bengaluru. They will be sent to judicial custody," Dayananda said.
In the second operation, police arrested three people and seized a large consignment of 318 kg of ganja, worth Rs 3.25 crore. The drugs were reportedly brought to the city from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
Acting on a tip-off, the Govindapura police arrested the trio while it was allegedly transporting the drugs in a car. The vehicle was also seized, a senior police officer said.
Investigation revealed that the main accused, a Kerala native, has a history of drug peddling and several cases, including robbery and attempted murder, registered against him, the senior police officer added.
