8 May 2024: In response to a complaint filed by the Karnataka Congress, the Election Commission (EC) has directed the social media platform ‘X’ to take down an animated video shared by the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The complaint accused the BJP of inciting enmity and hatred between the Muslim and SC/ST communities.
The EC, in its directive, cited the violation of the extant legal framework by the animated video, which was deemed objectionable. Despite previous instructions from the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, the video had not been removed from the platform. Consequently, the EC issued a fresh directive to ‘X’ to immediately take down the video.
The animated clip, shared by the Karnataka BJP on its social media handle, featured caricatures of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. It depicted Gandhi and Siddaramaiah placing an egg marked ‘Muslim’ in a bird’s nest, which hatches into a hatchling labeled ‘Muslim.’ Subsequently, Gandhi is shown feeding ‘funds’ to the Muslim hatchling while other hatchlings representing SC, ST, and OBC communities are sidelined.
The controversial video has sparked outrage, with political parties condemning its content. The Karnataka Congress accused the BJP of promoting disharmony among communities for political gain. The BJP, on the other hand, defended the video as a political commentary.
This development comes on the day of voting in the remaining 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, following previous polling in 14 parliamentary constituencies on April 26.
The EC’s intervention underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in political discourse, particularly during election periods, to ensure the maintenance of peace and harmony in society.
