Karnataka Congress accuses BJP of misusing Gandhi’s image to promote violence

Bengaluru: Congress MLC Ramesh Babu on Friday lodged a formal complaint with the additional chief secretary (Home) and the DGP Karnataka, seeking criminal action against Karnataka BJP over the alleged misuse of Mahatma Gandhi’s photograph in a “violence-promoting” advertisement published in several newspapers.

In his complaint, dated February 6, Babu alleged that an advertisement published in newspapers carried imagery that “promotes, glorifies or incites violence” by misusing the image of Mahatma Gandhi - the Father of the Nation and a global symbol of non-violence.

Babu alleged Karnataka BJP, distorted Gandhi’s legacy, hurt public sentiments and had the potential to disturb public order and communal harmony.

Calling it an “illegal and punishable” act, Babu said it attracted cognizable offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 - Section 196 (promoting enmity and acts prejudicial to harmony), Section 197 (representations prejudicial to national integration), Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage public feelings), Section 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) and Section 356 (defamation of a revered national personality) and also provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000, as the content had been circulated on electronic and digital platforms.

It also violates the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, due to the unauthorised use of Mahatma Gandhi’s image, he alleged.

Babu urged the police to register an FIR, conduct a thorough investigation, initiate strict legal action against those responsible while taking preventive steps to stop further circulation of the advertisement.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said, “Gandhi was assassinated by Godse and now his followers are assassinating Gandhism. Gandhi never raised the stick in his hand to attack anyone. Gandhi never showed the path of falsehood. Yet, organisations like RSS and BJP failed to understand the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi and have insulted him by portraying him as a proponent of violence.”

Congress MLC B K Hariprasad said, the cruel mindset that killed Mahatma Gandhi, who breathed truth, non-violence and tolerance, continues even today. “The Sangh Parivar and BJP, who built their politics around cruelty, murder, violence, oppression and hooliganism, have insulted Gandhi’s principle of non-violence by releasing an advertisement depicting Gandhi hitting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, LOP Rahul Gandhi, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge with a stick. The lathi used by RSS is a symbol of violence, the walking stick used by Gandhi was a symbol of strength, hard work and determination.”

Hariprasad also slammed the media organisations that published the advertisement and said, “The media should have refused to carry such a derogatory advertisement about the Father of the Nation and upheld journalistic ethics. The state newspapers too should not become part of the “Godi media.” One must not forget history — Bapu was one of the most ideal journalists this country has ever known.”