Complaint against Kejriwal, Kharge over alleged inciteful remarks against Murmu
A Supreme Court advocate filed a complaint against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and several others on Saturday for allegedly making inciteful statements about President Droupadi Murmu's caste while commenting on the new Parliament's inauguration, reported ANI. Complainant Vineet Jindal claimed their statements violated various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, promoted "enmity among communities," and created "distrust" for the central government.
Why does this story matter?
This comes just a day after the Supreme Court rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) requesting President Murmu inaugurate the new Parliament building rather than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nearly 20 opposition parties have vowed to boycott the ceremony on Sunday in protest of the government allegedly not inviting Murmu. Kejriwal and Kharge claimed that by not inviting her, the Centre was disrespecting her.
Statements by Kejriwal, Kharge'provocative,' may promote enmity: Jindal
In his complaint, advocate Jindal alleged "provocative" statements made by influential political leaders such as Kejriwal and Kharge on the ground of Murmu's caste and against the government could promote enmity among communities and were highly condemnable. He requested Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against such leaders and take strict legal action.
Kejriwal, Kharge intentionally mentioned president's caste to target Modi: Complainant
Jindal claimed that the statements given by Kejriwal and Kharge intentionally referred to "the caste of the president of India with the objective of portraying that PM Modi and the present government have deliberately not invited the president for the inauguration of the new Parliament building. He said these statements would provoke the Schedule Tribes and the Adivasi community to which Murmu reportedly belongs.
Statements violate IPC sections 121, 153A, 505, 34: Complainant
This statement by Kharge invited the complaint
Congress chief Kharge earlier claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government disrespected the tribal community by not inviting Murmu to the inauguration of the new Parliament. He accused the Centre of repeatedly violating "constitutional propriety" and stated the President's Office had been reduced to "tokenism." In response, the BJP accused the Congress of creating unnecessary controversy. The aforementioned complaint reportedly cites Kharge's this statement.
