The Karnataka BJP has lodged a police complaint against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleging that his remarks during a recent speech at Georgetown University in the U.S. were divisive and provocative towards Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The complaint was filed at the High Grounds police station by a BJP delegation led by Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, the party’s Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council. It asserts that Gandhi’s comments endangered India’s internal security and undermined the nation’s sovereignty and unity.
The BJP’s complaint criticizes Gandhi’s remarks on the OBC community, describing them as condescending and offensive. It argues that he questioned the legitimacy of the OBC classification and disrespected the contributions of millions within this community, specifically referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s OBC status.
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“The statements made by Rahul Gandhi carry an underlying tone of disrespect towards the OBC community,” the complaint reads. “His comments imply a lack of respect for individuals from this community, undermining their dignity and struggles as recognized by the Constitution of India.”
Additionally, the complaint states that Gandhi’s remarks could incite division along caste lines and damage the social fabric of the nation. The BJP accused him of making inflammatory statements designed to provoke discord, emphasizing the potential for unrest due to the global circulation of such remarks, particularly on social media.
The BJP has urged authorities to investigate Gandhi’s comments and their impact on the OBC community, and to issue warnings to prevent future divisive rhetoric from public figures. The complaint also alleges that Gandhi’s statements violate provisions of the BNS, 2023, which pertains to promoting enmity between communities.
The delegation that submitted the complaint included former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao and BJP MLC N. Ravikumar. The complaint was filed on behalf of H.V. Manjunatha, the state Vice President of the BJP SC Morcha.