Telangana CM summoned in Amit Shah's 'doctored video' case
The Delhi Police summoned Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and four others on May 1 in the case linked to the "doctored video" of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The police have also asked CM Reddy to bring his electronic devices for the investigation, officials said. The case revolves around a purported video—shared by the Telangana Congress's official handle—which shows the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader talking about the abolition of reservation quotas for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
Why does this story matter?
A video of Shah's purported speech at a rally in Telangana's Siddipet on April 25—circulated widely on social media—has triggered a controversy. The video shows the Union Minister as saying, "If the BJP comes to power, it will end the unconstitutional SC, ST, and OBC reservation." Several social media handles, including official handles of Congress state units, shared the video, claiming that the BJP is preparing to end SC/ST reservation.
Legal charges filed, social media platforms notified
The Delhi Police registered an FIR on Sunday based on complaints by the Union Home Ministry and the BJP. According to reports, the case was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code and section 66C of the Information Technology Act. Notices have also been sent to social media platforms requesting details on accounts that shared the video. A copy of the FIR was also sent to Delhi Cyber Police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations, and an investigation initiated.
Be ready for legal consequences: BJP
The BJP has publically condemned the video stating that the clip had been manipulated to distort Shah's original statements. "Congress is spreading an edited video which is completely fake...and has the potential to cause large-scale violence," BJP Spokesperson Amit Malviya said. The BJP said the original video was of Shah discussing the removal of 4% "unconstitutional" reservation for Muslims in Telangana. "They [the Congress] must be prepared for legal consequences," he added.
Shah hits back at Gandhi
On Sunday Shah said as long as the National Democratic Alliance government remains in power, there will be no reconsideration of reservations for SCs/STs/OBCs. He also hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement that the BJP-ruled Centre wants to alter India's Constitution and take away the rights of the backward communities. "Gandhi is trying to mislead people...if we had been working with...intention...to put an end to reservations in the country, it would have happened by now," Shah told ANI.
