New Delhi: A first information report (FIR) was filed against Bharatiya Janata Party’s Shobha Karandlaje by the Tamil Nadu police in Madurai on Wednesday (March 20).
This action came after Karandlaje – who is a Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare – made controversial remarks implying that people from Tamil Nadu were responsible for planting bombs in Bengaluru cafes.
“One person comes from Tamil Nadu and plants a bomb in a cafe. Another man comes from Delhi and raises pro-Pak slogans in the Vidhan Soudha. Another man comes from Kerala and throws acid at college students,” she said at a protest in Bengaluru on March 19.
Her comments sparked outrage and she was charged under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 505(1)(b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public), and 505(2) (intent to create or promote feelings of enmity) under the Indian Penal Code.
According to Hindustan Times, she has been booked under 23 (3A), 125 and 123 (3) of the Representation of People Act.
After facing backlash, Karandlaje retracted her statement and issued an apology, clarifying that her remarks were misinterpreted and were intended to highlight specific incidents, not generalise against the Tamil community, The News Minute reported.
“To my Tamil brothers and sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shadows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some – and for that, I apologise. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamil Nadu affected, From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments,” she said.
The Election Commission of India on Wednesday directed the Karnataka Chief Electoral officer to take action against Karandlaje for violating the Model Code of Conduct, reported the Indian Express.
The EC’s action and the FIR came after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in a complaint to the EC, stated that Karandlaje’s statement attempted to promote feelings of enmity and hatred between the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It urged the EC to take action against the BJP minister.
