‘Nasir Saheb Zindabad’ or ‘Pakistan Zindabad’: Misinformation sparks clash between BJP and Congress in Karnataka

Despite Nasir Hussain's explicit denial of hearing any pro-Pakistan slogans, BJP supporters organised a protest at Vidhana Soudha.

ByBellie Thomas

Published Feb 28, 2024 | 4:34 PM ⚊UpdatedFeb 28, 2024 | 4:34 PM

BJP leaders took out a protest march against the Congress at Vidhana Soudha. (Supplied)

BJP leaders took out a protest march against the Congress at Vidhana Soudha. (Supplied)

The fabric of a democratic society is intricately woven with the threads of truth, transparency, and the public’s right to accurate information. Journalists and politicians play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and holding those in power accountable. However, a disconcerting reality emerges when the very purveyors of truth engage in the dissemination of false information.

In a world where fake, unverified news spreads like wildfire, the question arises: What is the state of the country when journalists and people in power themselves peddle false information?

Following the Rajya Sabha elections in Bengaluru on 27 February, results were swiftly declared later that evening. Newly-elected Member of Parliament (MP) Syed Nasir Hussain, experienced a jubilant welcome from his supporters.

As he exited the Vidhana Soudha, chants of “Nasir Saheb Zindabad”, “Naseer Hussain Zindabad”, and “Congress Party Zindabad” filled the air.

However, mobile phone and TV cameras captured the cheers, and, to some, it sounded like a pro-Pakistan slogan – “Pakistan Zindabad”. These videos quickly went viral on social media, with a section of the Kannada media broadcasting the news, albeit false, of pro-Pakistan sloganeering by Congress supporters.

Without delay, the Congress clarified that the chanting was indeed “Nasir Saheb Zindabad”, misheard as “Pakistan Zindabad”. Despite some journalists on-site debunking the pro-Pakistan slogan claims, certain sections of the regional media persisted in sensationalising the incident.

Simultaneously, a police complaint was filed by Shivakumar S, a security personnel at the Vidhana Soudha, prompting the Bengaluru City Police to initiate a suo-motu case. Unknown persons were booked under Sections 505(1)(b) (whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public) and 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the Indian Penal code on Tuesday night.

Also Read: Congress wins 3 Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka

BJP attacks Congress over ‘slogans’

Despite Nasir Hussain’s explicit denial of hearing any pro-Pakistan slogans, BJP supporters organised a protest at Vidhana Soudha. Hussain expressed confidence that if such slogans were raised, the ongoing police investigation would reveal the truth.

Nevertheless, BJP supporters resorted to a flash protest at the Vidhana Soudha and even attempted to lay seige to the Vidhana Soudha Police Station when they were taken into preventive custody.

Later, senior BJP leaders — MLC Ravikumar and MLA and Chief Whip of the BJP in the Legislative Assembly Doddanagouda Patil — filed a complaint against supporters of newly-elected MP Syed Nasir Hussain for allegedly shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” at Vidhana Soudha.

The situation snowballed further when Union Minister of Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to social media to castigate the incident, accusing the Congress of engaging in dangerous appeasement politics.

“Rahul’s Congress has elected as MP Rajyasabha – sitting MP Nasser Hussein (Nasir Hussain) who is ‘political secretary’ of @kharge. Listen to what the supporters of this Cong MP are shouting inside the Vidhan Soudha building after his election – “Pakistan Zindabad” 🤬😡 Shameless and dangerous appeasement politics of Rahul’s Cong – even as he’s on his #BharatTodoYatra,” the IT Minister tweeted.

In response, Karnataka’s IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge labelled Chandrasekhar as the true “anti-national and anti-Kannadiga”, accusing Union government ministers of spreading misinformation for personal gain.

“Karnataka’s central government ministers seem to speak up solely to propagate misinformation, remaining silent when the state faces injustice. It appears that the key to securing a Cabinet position and favour with PM @narendramodi is by serving as the chief disseminator of fake news and misinformation. The Minister of IT is resorting to desperate measures to gain the PM’s attention, even at the expense of rupturing the state’s social fabric, despite gaining everything from it. These kinds are the real anti nationals and anti-Kannadigas,” Priyank Kharge tweeted.

Speaking to South First, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad said, “The problem is BJP’s selective deliberate hearing deficit.” He added, “This is not the first instance. The BJP has followed the same modus operandi in at least 22 other instances.”

Sharing an instance, he recalled the Pakistan flag once being hoisted in Sindagi in Vijayapura district in 2012. While the BJP alleged that locals were to blame and a case was registered against them, it was later discovered that it was in fact the Sangh Parivar that was responsible for the devious act.

Arshad reiterated that the BJP “stoops to the lowest levels”.

Also Read: Cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka: Jolt to BJP-JDS combine

Protests against Congress continue 

Meanwhile, the pro-Pakistan slogan controversy escalated on Wednesday, leading BJP leaders to conduct a protest march from the Legislative House to Vidhana Soudha before attending the Assembly.

Senior leaders also protested in front of the Congress state headquarters on Vasanth Road. Opposition leaders raised the issue in the Assembly, harshly criticising the ruling Congress government, prompting Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara to intervene.

The State Home Minister ordered the city police to submit video clippings of the incident to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Koramangala, Bengaluru, for analysis.

“We are very serious about it. If it is an anti-national slogan, nobody will tolerate it. No government will tolerate it. We will not tolerate it. If it is confirmed by the FSL, we will definitely take severe action. We are expecting the FSL analysis reports today. An FIR has already been registered. Suo-motu action was taken yesterday. Even the BJP has given its representation, which has been added along with the FIR,” Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters on Wednesday.

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