FIR against Karnataka BJP for comparing Indira Gandhi to Hitler

An FIR has been filed against BJP’s Karnataka unit over a social media post allegedly comparing former prime minister Indira Gandhi to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

 

The action followed a complaint filed by senior Congress leader S. Manohar.

 

On Wednesday, the Karnataka BJP’s official X handle shared a 38-second video about the Emergency period with the caption “INDIRA NOT EQUALS INDIA, INDIRA = HITLER”.

 

The now-deleted post allegedly contained a graphic where Indira Gandhi's image was altered to appear similar to Hitler. 

 

READ | The Emergency Diaries: PM Modi says new book chronicles his journey during those years

 

The complainant alleged that the content of the post was defamatory towards the former PM and aimed to incite unrest in society and create enmity between different religions and communities.

 

"Based on the complaint received, we have registered a case under sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway," a senior police officer said.

 

READ | Mallikarjun Kharge slams PM Modi over Emergency remarks, accuses BJP of hypocrisy on Constitution

 

The BJP observed the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution murder day) on Wednesday.

 

Terming the Emergency period as one of the darkest chapters in Indian democracy, the party called attention to what it describes as an assault on constitutional values and civil liberties. 

 

The Indira Gandhi government imposed the Emergency on June 25, 1975. The 21-month period witnessed the suspension of fundamental rights, censorship of the press, and imprisonment of opposition leaders and activists.

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