Tamil Nadu BJP’s IT wing, in collaboration with other office bearers, has formally lodged a complaint with the Greater Chennai Commissioner’s office, condemning the vitriolic and offensive online posts made by certain YouTubers.
The complaint specifically highlighted a particularly offensive tweet by a handle named “Valaipechu Bismi.” The tweet featured a morphed image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside a caption “Go Back Modi,” accompanied by another image depicting a pig in a saffron robe in a meditative pose. Karthik Gopinath, the Tamil Nadu BJP State Vice President of the Social Media Cell, addressed the media, expressing deep concern over the disrespectful nature of these posts towards the Prime Minister and their potential to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
Gopinath emphasised the lack of action from law enforcement authorities against the perpetrators, despite the severity of their actions. He stressed that while constructive criticism is welcome, deliberate attempts to degrade the Prime Minister and incite harm should not be tolerated. Gopinath also raised concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement, noting instances where BJP supporters critical of the state leadership have been swiftly arrested, even if they hail from other states like Gujarat or Delhi.
“The Tamil Nadu government has been quick to arrest BJP supporters for their tweets, regardless of their origin. While we support the enforcement of law, it must be impartial and free from bias,” stated Gopinath.
Today lodged a complaint with the Chennai city commissioner’s office about the derogatory manner in which @jbismi_offl has portrayed our prime minister and also hurt the sentiments of Hindus by posting malicious content on his Twitter handle .
Our IT&SM Wing karyakartas… pic.twitter.com/wUIrKX5d2t— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) May 31, 2024
Karthik Gopinath, a prominent BJP functionary, has condemned the DMK government in Tamil Nadu for its perceived inaction in response to offensive posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gopinath raised concerns about the state’s handling of complaints filed against individuals posting derogatory content online, questioning whether Tamil Nadu is transitioning from a welfare state to a police state.
Speaking to the media, Gopinath expressed disappointment over the lack of action by the police despite the submission of complaints at 66 different locations. He highlighted the failure to register FIRs (First Information Reports) despite detailed explanations provided by the BJP. Gopinath suggested that political interference may be hampering the neutrality and efficacy of the police force, with officers facing the threat of transfers for attempting to perform their duties impartially.
Accusing the state of displaying bias, Gopinath pointed out the apparent disparity in law enforcement actions. He highlighted instances where BJP supporters were reportedly arrested, while no action was taken against individuals posting derogatory content against PM Modi. Gopinath emphasised the importance of upholding freedom of expression while also recognising its limitations and responsibilities to prevent harm to others.
In a separate incident, Jeyan J from Kanyakumari, associated with the “Modi ka parivar” group, lodged a complaint with the police station against individuals named Nimal Stalin and Sasikumar. The complaint was filed in response to the posting of a half-naked picture of PM Modi during his visit to Kanyakumari for a silent viradath.
Gopinath’s statements reflect growing concerns within the BJP regarding the perceived inaction of law enforcement authorities in addressing offensive online content.
கன்னியாகுமரி வந்த பிரதமர் மோடியின் புகைப்படத்தை அரை நிர்வாணமாக பதிவிட்ட குமரியை சேர்ந்த நிர்மல் ஸ்டாலின், சசிகுமார் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க பாஜகவினர் காவல் நிலையத்தில் புகார்.
புகாரை எடுப்பார்களா பார்ப்போம்.🤷@annamalai_k @MSBalajiMSB @karthikgnath pic.twitter.com/AFDYqQQmF0
— JEYAN J (@Kumari_Jeyan) May 31, 2024
Critics have raised concerns over the perceived failure of the Tamil Nadu police to take timely action against individuals posting offensive content on social media platforms. Despite reports of obscene posts, disparaging remarks, and crass comments targeting BJP leaders and Hindu gods, critics allege that the police have prioritised arresting those who criticise the Chief Minister, his family, allies, and minority religious leaders.
— கரடி 🚩 (@KARADI2026) May 31, 2024
A recent incident highlighted by critics involves a Muslim youth who reportedly made inflammatory remarks about turning India into an Islamic country. Despite the seriousness of the comments, critics claim that the police did not take immediate action, leading to a delayed response. The youth has since been sentenced to seven years under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) act, raising questions about the police’s handling of cases involving fundamentalists and anti-national rhetoric.
Today lodged a complaint with the Chennai city commissioner’s office about the derogatory manner in which @jbismi_offl has portrayed our prime minister and also hurt the sentiments of Hindus by posting malicious content on his Twitter handle .
Our IT&SM Wing karyakartas… pic.twitter.com/wUIrKX5d2t— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) May 31, 2024
Critics argue that the lack of swift action against individuals espousing extremist views reflects systemic issues within the Tamil Nadu police force. They call for a comprehensive overhaul of the police and administrative systems, citing concerns about corruption, lethargy, and partiality in law enforcement.
“The failure of the police to address social media offenses in a timely manner underscores the urgent need for reform,” said one critic. “The current administration, influenced by Dravidian elements, has perpetuated a culture of inaction and partiality, leading to widespread corruption and inefficiency.”
Critics emphasize the importance of addressing these systemic issues to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens. They call on the government to prioritize police reform and administrative restructuring to restore public trust and confidence in law enforcement agencies.
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