Karnataka: FIRs against BJP leaders Tejasvi Surya, CT Ravi for ‘communally polarising’ voters on social media

Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Friday notified that separate cases have been filed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Tejasvi Surya and CT Ravi for their hate-inducing social media posts aimed at polarising voters. The cases come as 14 constituencies in the state went to poll today.

CEO Karnataka said BJP’s Surya, Bangalore South candidate, was booked on Thursday for “posting a video in X (formerly Twitter) handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion.”

Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in X handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion.

— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) April 26, 2024

Jayanagar police have also filed a case against the Hindutva firebrand, known for his Islamophobic and xenophobic speeches, for posting a video on social media and soliciting votes in the name of religion.

Surya, a man of countless controversies, reposted a video of him talking to a news agency, in which he said, “We the BJP voters are 80%, but we come out and vote only 20%. The Congress voters are 20%, but they come out and vote 80%. This is the ground reality. My request to you all BJP voters is, every single vote of yours matters. Please come out and vote. Because if you are not voting, the Congress’ 20% is definitely voting.”

VIDEO | “We the BJP voters are 80 per cent but only 20 per cent come out and vote. Congress’ voters are 20 per cent but they come out and vote 80 per cent. This is the ground reality at the polling booths in most cases. Every single vote of yours matters. Please come out and vote… pic.twitter.com/hZahcqhBmb

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 26, 2024

According to several media reports, the police have taken cognisance of another post of Mr. Surya, where he had sought votes for Modi using the ‘Ram Mandir.’

The police have registered the case under the Representation of the People Act on a complaint filed against Surya. They will soon seek the permission of the court to carry out further investigation.

The Election Commission has also registered an FIR against former BJP national general secretary and leader CT Ravi over his social media post promoting enmity on the grounds of religion.

Chikkamagaluru Election Officials have booked an FIR (No. 0042/2024) against CT Ravi, BJP Leader for his post in X handle for violation u/s 125 of RP Act and 505(2) of IPC in Basavanahalli PS on 26.04.24 for promoting hatred and enmity between different classes of citizens.

— Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) April 26, 2024

“Dear Hindus, Congress co-owner Rahul Gandhi has declared war against us Hindus. It is high time we unite to protest and defend Sanatana Dharma from those who are out to destroy it,” CT Ravi wrote on ‘X’ on Wednesday.