Cong files complaint against BJP gen sec Santhosh for remarks against Nehru

Bengaluru,

The Congress has lodged a police complaint against BJP national general secretary B L Santhosh over his alleged remarks on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and has simultaneously urged the Karnataka government to take legal action against the spread of misinformation, defamatory content and propaganda targeting Congress leaders and freedom fighters on social media.

In a complaint submitted to the High Grounds Police Station, Bengaluru West District Congress Committee Vice-President Kushal Haruvegowda sought action against statements and social media posts attributed to Santhosh, alleging that comparisons drawn between Nehru and V D Savarkar distorted historical facts and undermined Nehru's contribution to the nation.

"It has come to my notice that in statements and social media posts attributed to B L Santhosh, comparisons have been made between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Savarkar in a manner that allegedly distorts historical facts," Haruvegowda said in the complaint. He contended that spreading unverified or misleading historical claims through public platforms could create misconceptions among the public, disturb communal and social harmony and undermine the dignity of national leaders.

He requested the police to verify the authenticity of the statements and take appropriate legal action if any violation of law was found. Separately, KPCC General Secretary S Manohar submitted a representation to Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge, alleging that individuals identifying themselves as BJP members or supporters had been spreading false information, propaganda and defamatory content against Congress leaders, freedom fighters and eminent personalities through social media platforms.

Manohar said complaints had been filed with police on several occasions, but action was often not taken, leaving party workers and citizens feeling helpless. "Political differences are a part of democracy. However, conducting politics through false allegations, distortion of history, character assassination, and defamation is contrary to democratic values," he stated.

The KPCC leader urged the government to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into defamatory social media posts, direct the police to take complaints seriously, strengthen the Cyber Crime Division, review the status of earlier complaints and launch public awareness programmes against misinformation. Stating that the appeal was not intended to benefit any political party, Manohar said the objective was to ensure that the law was applied equally to all and that democratic discourse remained free from misinformation and defamatory content.