EC asks X to take down BJP Karnataka's Muslim quota post targeting Congress

The Election Commission on Tuesday ordered social media platform X to take down a post by the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting Congress for alleged appeasement of Muslims.

The poll panel wrote to X, asking that the 'objectionable' post be taken down 'immediately' as it 'violates' the Model Code of Conduct enforced in view of the Lok Sabha elections.

The post featured an animated video depicting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with the caption "beware… beware… beware..!” in Kannada. The animation depicts Rahul Gandhi placing an egg labelled as “Muslims” within a nest with three smaller eggs, labelled “SC”, “ST” and “OBC”. After the eggs hatch, the character feeds the “Muslim” chick with “funds”. The chick then grows and kicks out the SC, ST and OBC chicks out of the nest. The animation then shows Rahul and a Siddaramiah snickering.

The letter points out that a first information report (FIR) was already registered in the matter. However, the BJP did not remove the post despite an earlier order by the state chief electoral officer.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee had moved the EC accusing the BJP of attempting to "provoke rioting and promote enmity" through the post.

Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against BJP president J P Nadda, the party's IT cell head Amit Malviya and Karnataka unit chief B Y Vijayendra.

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