Karnataka government to file defamation case against BJP over ‘false' ads
The Karnataka government has announced it will file a defamation case against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders in the state for allegedly spreading false and defamatory content through a media advertisement accusing the state administration of corruption and poor governance.In an official notification dated May 25, the Congress-led government said it would approach the 42nd Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Bengaluru, citing what it calls 'false, distorted and misleading' claims published by the BJP in both print and electronic media. The campaign titled 'Charge List on the Failure of the State Government for 2 Years' accused the Congress government of large-scale scams and misgovernance since taking office in 2023.
A copy of the Karnataka government notification regarding the defamation case against the BJP.
advertisementGovernment officials said the legal action aims to curb the spread of misinformation and hold the opposition accountable. The Secretary of the CAS Department has been authorised to file the complaint, and two government prosecutors — BS Patil and Shailaja Nayak — have been appointed to represent the state. Coordination across departments will be overseen by Deputy Secretary in the Home Department (Law and Order) Kumta Prakash, who has been tasked with gathering all relevant documentation and evidence for the case.BJP HITS BACK, CITES 'EMERGENCY-LIKE TACTICS'
Reacting strongly to the announcement, Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra accused the Congress of invoking Emergency-like situation in the state and in misusing state machinery to silence criticism. In a post on social media platform X, Vijayendra compared the move to the Emergency era, claiming the Congress was 'reviving the spirit of 1975' by suppressing press freedom, targeting the opposition, and undermining democratic institutions.advertisement'The Congress government is scared of a mere advertisement,' he wrote. 'This act reflects cowardice and perfectly fits the saying, 'a pumpkin thief touches his shoulder when accused.''Vijayendra also pointed to the recent suspension of 18 opposition MLAs from the Assembly as an example of what he called the government's 'autocratic behaviour.' He alleged the Congress was using the police to intimidate BJP leaders and accused the administration of failing to deliver on development while engaging in corruption.He further slammed the Congress's two-year anniversary event, Sadhana Samavesha, held in Hosapete, calling it a 'lavish, wasteful' propaganda exercise meant to distract the public from the government's shortcomings.Calling the lawsuit a threat to press freedom and a 'revenge move' against dissenting voices, Vijayendra urged citizens, the media, and opposition parties to 'resist what he called a second Emergency.' He said, 'The power to reverse it lies with democracy, the people of Karnataka, and the media.''A second chapter of Emergency has begun in Karnataka, and the power to reverse it lies with democracy, the people of Karnataka, the opposition parties, and the media,' he said in the post and stated that the Congress-led government in the state 'will soon have to face this truth.'
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