A case has been registered against Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai after he said the DMK’s treatment towards North Indians was responsible for the spread of the fake news that migrant workers were attacked in the state.
Chennai,UPDATED: Mar 5, 2023 13:30 IST
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai (File photo)
By Pramod Madhav: Chennai’s Cyber Crime Unit registered a case against Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai over his remark linking the DMK to the recent spread of fake news that migrant workers from Bihar were attacked in the state. A video went viral on social media where migrant labourers from Bihar were brutally thrashed.
Later, the Tamil Nadu police said the video was fake and registered a case against three people including BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao, for spreading the video.
ALSO READ | 3 booked for spreading fake news on migrant workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu
In his statement, Annamalai blamed the DMK and said the party’s efforts in “mocking” the work done by North Indians is the reason why the fake news spread so quickly. He also demanded severe action against those who spread such false news.
“Since DMK’s origin, it has been spewing hate against a particular community. Since the DMK came to power, the party’s ministers and MPs have mocked (North Indians) in their speeches countless times”, said Annamalai.
He added that DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran insulted North Indian workers and said they only worked in building construction, or as household workers. Annamalai also said state minister K Ponmudy had earlier said that North Indians sell panipuris in the streets of Tamil Nadu.
Annamalai slammed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and said, “CM Stalin, even after all this, didn’t condemn such hate speech against North Indian workers. He didn’t take any action to curb such hate against a community in the state.”
ALSO READ | ‘Fake news,’ says TN DGP after Bihar CM expresses concern over migrant labourers killed in Tamil Nadu
Following his statement, Chennai’s Cyber Crime Unit registered a case against Annamalai under sections 153, 153A(1)(a), 505(1)(b) and 505(1)(c) under the Indian Penal Code.
Annamalai reacted to the case filed against him and challenged the DMK to arrest him.
ALSO READ | False information is being spread: Officials on fake news over attack on Bihari migrant workers in Tamil Nadu
DMK BLAMES BJP FOR SPREADING FAKE NEWS
On the other hand, DMK MLA TRB Raja has blamed the BJP for the false rumours claiming that migrant workers are under attack in Tamil Nadu. The DMK MLA said it was BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao who spread the fake news.
“It was Uttar Pradesh BJP Spokesperson Prashant Umrao who spread the false news that 12 Bihari workers were killed in Tamil Nadu, which was later clarified by the state police”, said TRB Raja.
He also alleged that the BJP tried to use the false news for political gains but their plans were “thwarted by CM Stalin’s actions, because of which a case was registered against Prashant Umrao”.
TRB Raja also questioned if Annamalai would ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also an MP from Varanasi, to bring an end to the spread of such false news.
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