Karnataka govt to file defamation case against BJP

    Bengaluru, May 26 (PTI) The Congress government in Karnataka has decided to initiate a defamation case against the state BJP for allegedly indulging in false propaganda about its performance.

The government, in an official notification issued on Sunday, has cited alleged misinformation, distortion and lies by the BJP through its campaign in visual media and print media under the title—"charge sheet about two years' failure of the state government".
The opposition BJP has termed the move as the "beginning of the second chapter of the emergency" in Karnataka.

The notification said, the government has decided to file a defamation case in Bengaluru's 42nd Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in this regard, and the Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has been authorised to file a complaint.

Government prosecutors B S Patil from the 67th City Civil and Sessions Court and Shailaja Nayak from the 61st City Civil and Sessions Court have been appointed, to handle the legal proceedings.

Also, Kumata Prakash, Deputy Secretary to Government, Department of Home (Law and Order), has been appointed and ordered to coordinate with all concerned departments in this case and provide complete information to the government prosecutor.

Reacting to this, the BJP said, for the first time in Karnataka, a dark notification has been issued to intimidate the opposition party and the media by delegating government machinery and officials.

"There is no question of the BJP being afraid of any threat from the Congress government. If you think that you can silence the opposition parties in the name of the police and law, then it is nothing but the height of your foolishness. It is clear that your decision to file a defamation case, based on the advice of flatterers and fools, is not only against the BJP but also against the media, to take revenge," state BJP President B Y Vijayendra posted on 'X'.

"The second chapter of the emergency has begun in Karnataka, and the Congress government will soon see that democracy, the people of Karnataka, the opposition parties and the media have the power to reverse it," he added.
    Defending the government’s move, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said allegations were being made against the government, false propaganda was being spread, and confusion was being created. “Do you want the government to be a silent spectator?” he asked.

    “If it is limited to political fights, that’s fine. But when fabricated documents are distributed, fake news is spread, false statements are made, and unnecessary confusion is created, it naturally becomes an attack on the government. That’s why the order was issued,” he told reporters in response to a question.
    When asked whether similar chargesheets released by the Congress against the previous BJP government amounted to defamation, Patil said, “Taking action against such things was left to the discretion of the then government—they chose not to act. But there is nothing that says we (the Congress government) cannot use the tools available to us.”
    Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi slammed the state government’s move, saying he was troubled by one question: “Has Karnataka turned into a dictatorship like during Hitler’s time?”
    “The Congress government, which claims to follow the Constitution and the ideals of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, is acting worse than any dictator,” he posted on 'X'.
    “Is silencing people’s voices part of the Constitution, Siddaramaiah? Why are you and D K Shivakumar so afraid of hearing criticism? Why does talking about your failures, corruption, and the damage to Karnataka’s economy and politics scare you?” he further asked.
    “Trying to intimidate news channel anchors by sending an extraordinary police force only shows your fear and frustration in trying to hide your failures. It seems you’re desperate to cling to power, Mr Siddaramaiah. We see your desperation. But Karnataka will never accept this dictatorship-like attitude or Mughal-style rule,” Joshi claimed.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)