BJP Leaders JP Nadda and Amit Malviya Summoned by Bengaluru Police Over Social Media Post

In Short

• ‘Objectionable’ post shared on Karnataka BJP’s X handle
• Bengaluru Police summons JP Nadda, Amit Malviya after case filed
• Leaders given a week’s time to appear before police

Bengaluru Police has issued summonses to BJP President JP Nadda and the party’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya in connection with an allegedly ‘objectionable’ social media post shared by the Karnataka unit of the party.

The notice, served by the Investigating Officer of the Highgrounds Police in Bengaluru on Wednesday, requires both leaders to appear before the authorities within a week.

The development follows the controversy surrounding a video posted on social media by the Karnataka BJP, which purportedly depicted the Congress party showing favoritism towards Muslims in reservation policies.

The video allegedly showed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allocating larger funds to Muslims, in contrast to SCs, STs, and OBCs.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara commented on the matter, stating that the social media post in question amounted to an attack on laws addressing communal differences.

He added that once JP Nadda and Amit Malviya provide their statements or justification regarding the post, appropriate action will be determined.

This summons comes on the heels of the Election Commission’s directive to the micro-blogging site X to promptly remove the contentious post shared by the Karnataka BJP unit.

In a letter addressed to X, the poll panel emphasized that the post by ‘BJP4Karnataka’ violated the existing legal framework and highlighted that an FIR had already been filed in this regard.

Despite the directive from the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, the objectionable post remained accessible on the platform.

The FIR filed against JP Nadda, Amit Malviya, and BJP Karnataka unit chief BY Vijayendra underscores the legal ramifications of the controversial video.

The ongoing investigation reflects the intersection of social media, political discourse, and legal scrutiny, shaping the broader narrative surrounding electoral conduct and digital communication in contemporary politics.