Bengaluru, April 7 – A delegation from the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally lodged a complaint with State Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem on Tuesday, accusing Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of making a provocative speech during an election campaign in Assam.
In their complaint, the BJP leaders demanded Kharge's immediate arrest, alleging that he incited violence, and called for enhanced security arrangements to protect BJP workers.
The complaint stated that during a public gathering, Kharge reportedly compared the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to a "poisonous snake," and claimed that such statements could incite violence against party members.
The delegation stated that Kharge's remarks were inflammatory and could endanger the lives of lakhs of BJP and RSS members across the country.
The BJP leaders emphasized that Kharge, as the President of a national political party, holds a position of responsibility, and that such statements could have far-reaching consequences.
They also alleged that the speech could disrupt public peace and encourage misguided individuals to target members of the Sangh Parivar.
The complaint cited relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 196, 197, 299, and 353, which deal with promoting enmity between communities, acts prejudicial to national integration, outraging religious sentiments, and spreading statements that may incite fear or violence.
The delegation urged the police to take immediate legal action under these sections of the law.
The complaint also cited the Supreme Court's ruling in the Shaheen Abdulla vs Union of India (2022) case, which directed law enforcement agencies to take suo motu action in instances of alleged hate speech without waiting for formal complaints.
The BJP delegation expressed concern over the law and order situation in Karnataka, where the Congress is currently in power, and claimed that such remarks could embolden anti-social elements.
They also referred to statements made by state Minister Priyank Kharge in the past, alleging a pattern of hostility towards the RSS.
A copy of the speech excerpt was submitted along with the complaint.
Meanwhile, there has been no immediate response from the Congress or Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the allegations.
The delegation included MLAs S. Muniraju, C.K. Rammurthy, Dheeraj Muniraju, Bengaluru North District BJP President S. Harish, BJP Central District President Saptagiri Gowda, and State BJP Spokesperson S. Prakash.