Book Rahul Gandhi for sedition: BJP tells EC

The Tamil Nadu unit of BJP alleged that he violated the model code of conduct

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of violating the Model Code of Conduct by holding “surrogate election campaign” in a school campus during his Tamil Nadu visit this week, the BJP on Thursday knocked at the doors of the Election Commission demanding that the Congress leader be “restrained” from campaigning in the state.

The BJP also demanded that a case of sedition be booked against Gandhi for his comments - “what India now is going to need is another freedom struggle.” In a complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tamil Nadu BJP President L Murugan said use of educational institutions for political campaigns and rallies is strictly prohibited.

Read more: Rahul Gandhi uses Hindi idioms to target Centre for raiding 'pro-farmer' voices, BJP hits back

He pointed out that Gandhi visited St. Joseph's Matric Higher Sec. School in Mulagumoodu of Kanyakumari district on March 1 and undertook a surrogate election campaign in the school premises. “The political campaign in educational institutions has violated provisions of model code of conduct for which strict action including prohibitory orders for his election campaign in the state of Tamil Nadu is required to be issued by your esteemed office,” Murugan said.

He further added that Gandhi committed offences under section 109 and 124A of the Indian Penal Code. "There is a lot of anger that's being spread in the country, a lot of fear in the country and that is what we have to fight. We have to fight the division, the anger and the fear and once again make India happy, comfortable, fearless and united,” Murugan quoted Gandhi as having told students.

The BJP leader argued that the statement "which was made with the intent to cause hatred, contempt and excite disaffection towards the government", by law amounts to inciting/abetting the youth for another freedom struggle.

“The statement made by Mr. Gandhi that the Government of India today is similar to that of British rule and it has spread division, anger and fear and therefore, we require another freedom struggle to overawe the Govt. of India violates section 124A of Indian Penal Code, 1860,” Murugan added.