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Rediff.com  » News » EC's FIR charges BJP with creating communal hatred

EC's FIR charges BJP with creating communal hatred

Source: PTI
April 06, 2007 13:46 IST
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The Election Commission today lodged First Information Reports against Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh and senior party leader Lalji Tandon in connection with the production of a controversial CD attacking Muslims.

The FIRs were filed at Hazratganj police station against Singh and Tandon by UP chief electoral officer A K Bishnoi,
sources said.

The FIRs were filed under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and Representation of People's Act.

Bishnoi told PTI that the CD was examined by the Commission and prima facie found that it contained
objectionable references against a particular community.

The BJP had been charged with inciting communal hatred among different communities in the FIR.

Earlier, an FIR was lodged by the inspector of Hazratganj police station on the directions of the Commission
against the BJP office-bearers and workers in connection with the controversial CD yesterday.

The FIR stated that there was a possibility that the distribution of the CD could create animosity between various
communities.

'A dispute can arise... resentment among the people will adversely affect social and communal harmony', the FIR said.
Commission sources said that the Representation of People's Act provides for imprisonment up to three years or
fine or both in such cases.

Leader of Opposition Lalji Tandon had on Tuesday released the controversial CD at a press conference and said
that it had been made by the cultural cell of the party.

Tandon, however, later said the CD was released by "mistake" and had expressed regrets over its release.

The party also sacked party spokesman Manoj Mishra for getting the CD released without obtaining a clearance from
senior leaders.

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