BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and editors of Kannada news portals have been booked for spreading false information about a farmer's suicide in Haveri district, Karnataka. Surya had shared an article on 'X' alleging the farmer's death was due to his land being taken over by the Waqf Board. The post was later deleted by the MP after the news was deemed fake by the district police. This incident has sparked a political controversy and raises questions about the responsibility of spreading news.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya Booked for Spreading False Information About Farmer's Suicide
Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and editors of Kannada news portals have been booked by the Karnataka Police for spreading false information about a farmer's suicide in Haveri district.
Background:
On September 18, 2023, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya shared an article on his Twitter account alleging that a farmer in Haveri district had committed suicide due to his land being taken over by the Waqf Board. The article cited a local news portal as its source.
Investigation and Charges:
Following Surya's post, the Haveri district police launched an investigation and found the news to be false. They confirmed that the farmer had not committed suicide and that there was no land dispute involving the Waqf Board.
Based on the investigation, the police registered a case against Tejasvi Surya and the editors of three Kannada news portals under sections 182 (false information), 505(2) (statements conducing to public mischief), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Political Controversy:
The incident has sparked a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party accusing Surya and the BJP of spreading communal hatred and misinformation. The BJP has defended Surya, claiming that he had relied on the information provided by the news portal.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why was Surya booked? Surya was booked for spreading false information about a farmer's suicide, which could have led to communal tension.
2. What is the status of the case? The case is currently under investigation by the Karnataka Police.
3. What is the role of the news portals? The editors of the news portals that published the false story have also been charged.
4. What are the implications of this incident? The incident raises questions about the responsibility of politicians and the media in spreading news and preventing the spread of misinformation.
5. What has been the response from the BJP and the Congress? The BJP has defended Surya, while the Congress has accused him of spreading communal hatred.
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