Bengaluru: The Karnataka Police have registered an FIR against Aaj Tak, and its consulting editor Sudhir Choudhary for allegedly spreading misinformation on a state government’s scheme for minorities, according to officials.
The Hindi news channel and its editor have been booked for conducting public mischief through his speech, promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, and residence under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The complaint has been lodged in Sheshadripuram police station by the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation’s Assistant Administrator Shivakumar who accused the consulting editor of spreading false news about the scheme implemented by it.
He also alleged that the misinformation tried to disturb the communal harmony in Karnataka.
In his news package aired on Aaj Tak September 11, the Consulting Editor claimed that the Swawalambi Sarathi scheme only benefited minorities, and caused injustice to Hindus. He also claimed that the Congress government in Karnataka was playing appeasement politics.
The scheme gives 50 per cent subsidy or up to Rs 3 lakh for the unemployed youths to buy autorickshaws, goods, and taxis to become self-employed.
In retaliation, KMDC accused the channel for “twisting” the news and claimed that the scheme is not only for the benefit of minorities, but also for backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes.
KMDC also clarified that the scheme was also available for the jobless youth of Hindu community, and added that it was first implemented by the previous BJP government, not by the present Congress government.
Karnataka IT MInister Priyank Kharge took to X and alleged that the consulting editor was deliberately spreading misinformation on government schemes.
“The anchor of @aajtak is deliberately spreading misinformation on government schemes which was first started by BJP MPs & is being amplified by sections of the media. This is deliberate & malicious, Govt will be taking necessary legal action,” the son of the Congress president M Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on ‘X’.
Reacting to the FIR, Sudhir Choudhary said he was ready for a legal battle against an FIR laden with non-bailable sections.
“Got information about an FIR against me by the Congress government in Karnataka. The answer to the question is FIR? That too with non-bailable sections. That means complete preparation for arrest. My question was why the Hindu community is not included in the self-reliant Sarathi scheme? I am ready for this fight also. Now meet in court..,” he said in a post on ‘X’.
