Tensions soared in Karnataka politics after Congress filed an FIR against BJP’s state leadership for a contentious X post slamming CM Siddaramaiah, Dy CM DK Shivakumar, and other ministers as heads of a ‘scam empire.’ The post, which went viral, used manipulated visuals and explosive rhetoric to allege rampant state plundering.
BJP’s official Karnataka account posted images of the leaders captioned ‘scam masterminds,’ with text blasting: ‘Unveiling Karnataka govt’s scam empire looting day in, day out.’ Outraged Congress workers didn’t hold back, heading straight to Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police to register their protest.
Their detailed FIR accused the post of intentional defamation through image tampering, false narratives, and inflammatory words like ‘loot’ aimed at stirring public animosity. ‘Designed to dishonor leaders and create societal rift using unverified claims,’ the document asserted, urging action against the perpetrators.
Police promptly accepted the complaint, filing the FIR and setting the stage for deeper inquiry. This development spotlights the regulatory challenges of political social media in India, where accusations fly freely but legal lines are strictly enforced.
As the dust settles, the incident could fuel a broader debate on free speech versus responsible campaigning. BJP may counter with its own narrative of exposing corruption, but for now, the FIR marks a victory for Congress in defending its image against online onslaughts.