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Karnataka Police registered a case against Aaj Tak anchor Sudhir Chaudhary on September 13 for spreading fake and inflammatory news against the Karnataka government. The case is related to a show that aired on September 11. The police allege that the news was communally inflammatory.
A senior journalist and a news channel were filed against the case. The police allege that the journalist and news channel willfully spread fake news about the scheme.
The FIR lodged by the Seshadripuram police late on Tuesday night invoked IPC sections 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony).
The complainant is Shivakumar S, Assistant Administrative Officer at the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC), a state government agency under the Minority Welfare Department.
During his prime-time show Black and White on Aaj Tak, Chaudhary “falsely claimed” that Karnataka provides a financial subsidy only to Muslims, Christians and other specific minorities, leaving Hindus out. Chaudhary called the scheme “minority appeasement”.
They aired the show on September 11. However, according to Shivakumar, the KMDC provides a 50 per cent subsidy of up to Rs 3 lakh to poor members of specific minorities for buying autos, cabs and goods taxis, provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria on annual family income, age, domicile, etc.
The Dr. BR Ambedkar Development Corporation, operating under Karnataka's Backward Classes Welfare Department, runs a similar scheme for impoverished Hindus.
The FIR (First Information Report) has filed charges against Chaudhary and Aaj Tak under non-bailable sections 505 and 153A of the Indian Penal Code. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) has confirmed that they will take further appropriate action after summoning the suspects for questioning.
Surya criticizes FIR, defends press
On Wednesday, Tejasvi Surya, the BJP's youth wing chief, characterized the FIR against Chaudhary as a "witch hunt" and an attack on press freedom.
In a tweet, he stated, "Whether it's political opponents or independent media that asks uncomfortable questions, the Congress Government is going after everyone by abusing the law."
However, Manoj Jain, Secretary to the Karnataka Minority Welfare Department, stated that the scheme existed before the Congress came to power. He explained, "The scheme was previously for Rs. 2.5 lakh and has now been increased to Rs. 3 lakh under the Swavalambi Sarathi scheme," as reported by The News Minute.
On Wednesday morning, Kharge appealed to the Editors Guild of India to assist in addressing journalists who intentionally mislead the public.
He questioned, "Wouldn't it be ideal if media organizations established their own in-house fact-checking units and exercised greater responsibility in their reporting? This way, there might be no need for government-led fact-checking units."
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