Apart from money, residents of Channapatna's Kasaba alleged that JD(S) leaders also tried to bribe them with Quran and a prayer rug.
Published Nov 10, 2024 | 7:08 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 10, 2024 | 7:09 PM
Channapatna voters display JD(S)' alleged bribe (Screengrab)
A case has been filed by Election Commission officials in Channapatna against JD(S) for allegedly attempting to lure Muslim voters with money, a Quran, and a prayer rug. This sparked outrage in the Kasaba locality on Saturday, 9 November, over perceived disrespect to religious sentiments.
The incident came to light after a video surfaced showing several Muslims confronting JD(S) over its reported attempt to bribe voters not only with money but also with Quran, sparking widespread outrage in the locality in bypoll-bound Channapatna Assembly Constituency.
Upon discovering the alleged attempt to bribe, residents of Kasaba locality informed local poll officials, ahead of bypolls set to take place on 13 November.
Based on the complaint, poll officials rushed to the Mehedi area in Kasaba, where the incident reportedly occurred, and seized cash and other gifts allegedly given by JD(S) leaders to voters.
JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is the son of Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy is NDA’s nominee and he is fighting and former minister and Congress’ nominee CP Yogeeshwara are fighting each other from the Assembly Constituency.
With barely three days left for Channapatna Assembly bypolls, these allegations have been made against the JD(S). Based on information from the residents, a non-cognizable case has been registered against party leaders at Channapatna Town Police Station.
A video of several Muslims from the Mehedi locality enraging against the JD(S) for allegedly distributing money along with Quran and Prayer rug went viral on Saturday, 9 November.
#Karnataka: A purported video of @JanataDal_S leaders allegedly bribing voters with money & fabric in Channapatna town has gone viral.
Tensions escalated in part of Muslim localities in Channapatna after they found that the JD(S) leaders reportedly gave away money & fabric to… pic.twitter.com/fGCTaGPh60
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 10, 2024
In over a two-minute-long video, a voter is also found purportedly admitting that it was given to him by the JD(S) to vote for the party in the bypolls.
Confirming the incident, Ibrahim Ahmed Khan, a resident of Mehedi locality in Channapatna, told South First: “JD(S) had distributed money to over 20 houses in Mehedi locality. Party leaders fled from the spot by the time elders in the locality arrived there.”
“I learnt that the JD(S) was distributing money under the headship of a Mysuru City Corporation’s former corporator. I found that the regional party was giving ₹1,000 to each house along with Quran and prayer rug,” Khan said, adding that they alerted the officials immediately after.
Slaman Wajeed, a resident of Mehedi locality, told South First: “The JD(S) leaders had come to our locality last night. They were giving money, a mini-Quran, and prayer rug to each family. As soon as they were confronted by a several families, they fled the locality.”
Confirming the incident to South First, a poll official from Channapatna said on conditions of anonymity: “We rushed to the spot and registered a non-cognizable case against the JD(S). We have seized all the money and other religious materials from around 20 houses. Probe is underway.”
Muslims from the Mehedi locality were enraged at JD(S) for not just trying to bribe the voters but also for hurting their religious sentiments. It is evident from the viral video that Muslims were unhappy over JD(S)’ attempt to lure them with their holy book.
Ibrahim Khan told South First: “The JD(S)’ move to lure Muslims voters by giving each family a Quran, Yasin, prayer rug and ₹1,000 has deeply pained several Muslims in the locality. Quran is a holy book to us.”
“It is wrong to distribute or give away Quran to lure voters. We have no qualms over them fighting the elections but using/dragging religion in between is wrong. We have objected and raised a complaint against them over it,” Khand added that they demand action against the JD(S).
While the voters in Channapatna are accusing the JD(S) of luring them with money and Quran, the JD(S) denied all allegations. It further held Congress’ Minister for Waqf and Housing BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan responsible for what happened.
When South First contacted the JD(S) state president and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s office over the allegations, the office said, “It’s a conspiracy hatched by the ruling party in Karnataka. Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan is the man behind this incident.”
Denying all allegations, they said, “Congress is are doing this to defame Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s name ahead of the polling. We are not luring any voters with money or Quran.”
(Edited by Neena)
