Karnataka BJP posted an ad mimicking reservations

ECI has found it objectionable

It has asked X to remove it immediately

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern directive to micro-blogging site X, formerly known as Twitter, urging the immediate removal of an “objectionable post” shared by the Karnataka unit of the BJP. The contentious animated video, pertaining to the Muslim reservation controversy, has drawn sharp criticism from political adversaries, particularly the Congress.

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In an official communication, the ECI highlighted the violation of the legal framework by the post in question, emphasizing that an FIR had already been lodged in connection with the matter. Despite previous directives from the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka through Cyber Crime Division, Bengaluru, the objectionable content remained unabated on the platform.

The “objectionable video” circulated by the Karnataka BJP purportedly reinforces the party’s stance on Muslim appeasement by the Congress. The Congress swiftly lodged a formal complaint with the state’s chief electoral officer, implicating key BJP figures including IT Cell head Amit Malviya, party chief JP Nadda, state president BY Vijayendra, and the Karnataka BJP social media team.

The contentious video features caricatures of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, portraying them engaging in actions suggestive of favoritism towards Muslims. The Congress, denouncing the post as an incitement to communal discord, condemned it as an attempt to “provoke rioting and promote enmity between different religions.”

This incident adds fuel to the ongoing political discourse surrounding reservations, with BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, accusing the Congress of contemplating extending reservations to Muslims at the expense of other marginalized communities.