BJP's Narayanaswamy seeks action against Cong MLA over remarks on PM supporters

Bengaluru,

Senior BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday sought legal action against the alleged derogatory remarks made by Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar against the supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described the MLA's remarks as derogatory, defamatory and amounting to hate speech. Taking to social media platform 'X', Narayanaswamy shared the letters written to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Home Minister Priyank Kharge and DGP MA Saleem in this regard.

In the letter, he cited a news article published in a Kannada newspaper dated June 11, according to which MLA Eshwar allegedly referred to Indian citizens who support Prime Minister Modi as "traitors." "Such a statement is highly objectionable, condemnable, unlawful, and liable for punishment. This is because the remark effectively targets the Prime Minister of the country himself," it said.

Narayanaswamy, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, stated that as a responsible public representative, one is expected to promote social harmony, mutual respect, and democratic values in society. However, branding millions of Indian citizens, NRIs, and admirers from other countries around the world as "traitors" merely because of political or ideological differences is an extremely "dangerous" development, he alleged.

"Such a statement goes far beyond the scope of legitimate political criticism. It undermines the dignity of citizens holding a particular political opinion, publicly stigmatises them, and appears to be an attempt to create an atmosphere of hatred, conflict, and division within society," he further alleged. Narayanaswamy urged that a case be registered against Eshwar immediately, an investigation be conducted, and appropriate legal action against him in this matter without any political bias or discrimination and that necessary action is taken at the earliest.