Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 21: The Indian Youth Congress has filed a police complaint against BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya and Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, accusing them of circulating false and inflammatory content online.

Based on the complaint by Shrikant Swaroop B N, head of the Youth Congress legal cell, the High Grounds police have registered an FIR under Sections 192 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These pertain to provocation with the intent to cause a riot and intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace.

Swaroop alleged that Malviya and Goswami were behind a "deliberate and criminally motivated" campaign to spread misinformation. The specific charge relates to their alleged claim that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye is the office of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Calling it a "fabricated narrative," the complainant said the intent was to mislead the Indian public, malign the Congress party, inflame nationalist sentiments, and disturb public order. He further noted that this act was especially serious given the strained diplomatic ties between India and Turkiye, a country perceived to be sympathetic to Pakistan.

“The deliberate spread of such falsehoods is an attack on democratic values and national integrity,” Swaroop said, demanding strong action against the two.

He also urged institutions like the Press Council of India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and other law enforcement bodies to treat the issue with urgency and take immediate action.