Jharkhand Election: ECI Orders BJP To Remove ‘Misleading, Divisive’ Video After Congress, JMM Lodge Complaints

Jharkhand Election 2024: The Election Commission has ordered the Jharkhand CEO to take action against the BJP for a "divisive" video on social media, following complaints from INC and JMM.

Jharkhand Election 2024: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jharkhand to take immediate action against a "misleading and malicious" video posted by BJP Jharkhand on social media taking serious note of the complaints from the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The CEO has been instructed to issue a notice to BJP Jharkhand, demanding an explanation for the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and to ensure the video is removed from all party social media platforms.

Additionally, the CEO has been directed to work in coordination with the state’s designated authority under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act to immediately remove the objectionable content from social media platforms, a statement informed.

JMM and INC had filed a complaint with the EC on Sunday, objecting to a video posted by BJP Jharkhand, describing it as "misleading and divisive." The video allegedly depicts the house of a JMM supporter with a banner of the party and a poster resembling Hemant Soren, captioned, “pure Jharkhand ka kaya palat kar denge.”

It further portrays hundreds of people from a particular community entering the house unannounced, suggesting they intended to forcefully reside there. The complainants alleged that the video contained baseless accusations and falsehoods, aimed at creating hatred and enmity against JMM and its leaders.

Jharkhand Election 2024: Congress Demands ECI Block BJP Jharkhand’s Social Media Accounts, Lodge FIRs

Congress General Secretary (Communications), Jairam Ramesh, lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), demanding strict action against BJP Jharkhand for continuing a "communal and divisive campaign." This was the second complaint filed by the Congress in a week. Ramesh accused BJP Jharkhand of spreading false and misleading information on social media despite a criminal case already being registered. 

Sharing the complaint on X, Ramesh wrote, “Despite the registration of a criminal case, the BJP has not taken down its earlier social media posts. They are clearly continuing with their communal and divisive campaign in Jharkhand with impunity.” He urged the ECI to act against BJP officials, including the social media in-charge.

The Congress memorandum highlighted ongoing violations of the MCC and electoral laws. It stated that the BJP's Jharkhand unit, through its official X account '@BJP4Jharkhand' and Facebook account 'BJP Jharkhand', continued to post "malicious, defamatory, and divisive" content. Despite an FIR against a previous post, Ramesh claimed the objectionable content remains online. "The BJP and its state unit have failed to take down these posts, which makes one thing clear: they either deliberately promote a divisive agenda or disregard electoral norms and the authority of this Commission," the complaint added.

Ramesh further accused BJP Jharkhand of posting a video that portrayed members of a particular community in a negative light. “The malafide motive and messaging behind the video is very clear,” he alleged, adding that the BJP’s disregard for electoral law emboldens them to continue such acts.

The Congress demanded that the ECI block BJP Jharkhand’s social media accounts and order the immediate deletion of all divisive content. It also sought the registration of FIRs against individuals managing the BJP’s social media handles. The 81-member Jharkhand Assembly had its first phase of polling on November 13, with the second and final phase set for November 20. The results will be announced on November 23.