Surya is known for his inflammatory and Islamophobic statements. His provocative tweets a couple of years ago about Arab women had sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Election Commission has filed a case against Tejasvi Surya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and candidate from South Bengaluru, after he talked about “80 and 20 percent” indirectly referring to the share of the majority and minority population.
Talking to X, the chief election officer of Karnataka said Surya was booked as he sought votes in the name of religion in violation of the Representation of the People Act.
“Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in X handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion,” posted the Election Commission official on Friday.
Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act prohibits a candidate from seeking votes using religious symbols.
In a tweet, Surya mentioned the Ram temple in Ayodhya and asked people to vote for the BJP.
“Our generation was blessed to witness the majestic Surya Tilak on Bhagwan Shri Ram at Ayodhya on Ram Navami. A wait for almost 500 years & a wish of crores of Bharatiyas was fulfilled by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji. For Bharatiyata to survive, vote for BJP!” Surya posted on X on Thursday.
He also shared a video along with the post in which the Hindu deity Ram could be seen being worshipped at the Ram temple.
Talking to the media, Surya referred to the 80 percent and 20 percent population. BJP leaders often used the tropes to refer to the ratio of majority and minority segments of society.
“I want to tell the BJP supporters and voters that we are 80%, but on the polling day we come out and vote 20%, whereas the Congress supporters are 20% and they come out and vote 80%. Each BJP voter must come out and vote because our vote matters. If you are not voting, Congress’ 20% is coming out and voting. No matter the heat, or the rain, it is your vote which will decide the future of the nation for the next five years. Please come out and vote,” said the BJP leader on the polling day.
Surya is known for his inflammatory and Islamophobic statements. His provocative tweets a couple of years ago about Arab women had sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. During COVID-19, he targeted Muslim employees of Bangalore Municipal Corporation, accusing them of corruption. It resulted in the termination of all 17 Muslim employees working in the pandemic war room.
