The legal cell of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), on Tuesday, March 19, lodged a formal complaint with the state’s Chief Election Officer against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya. The complaint alleges that Tejasvi's actions during a protest in Bengaluru, with regard to the recent assault of a shopkeeper, was aimed at inciting religious sentiments and fostering communal hatred.
The protest in question stemmed from an alleged assault on a shopkeeper in Bengaluru’s Cubbonpet. The shopkeeper was reportedly targeted for playing Hanuman Chalisa during the azaan. However, an FIR registered on March 18 states that he was assaulted for playing ‘loud music’. While three individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault, the police are investigating Mukesh's claims that he was targeted for playing the Hanuman Chalisa.
The incident has now sparked outrage with BJP leaders including Tejasvi Surya and Shobha Karandlaje, who are protesting in support of the shopkeeper on March 19.
The complaint stated that these actions violated the directives of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, which prohibit inciting communal, caste, and religious sentiments during elections. “They gave out calls for Hanuman Chalisa recitation and chanted religious slogans,” the complaint read.
The police had not given permission for the protest due to the prevailing Model Code of Conduct for elections. Consequently, Tejasvi Surya and Shobha Karandlaje, along with other participants, were taken into preventive custody by the police.