Complaint Filed with Police Top Brass Alleges Coordinated Smear Campaign to Incite Social Discord in Karnataka
Bengaluru, JAN 22: The women’s wing of the ‘Dalita Sena’ has lodged a formal complaint with senior police officials in Karnataka, urging immediate legal action against individuals allegedly operating a network of over 15 fake Facebook profiles. These profiles are accused of posting defamatory content in the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in what the group condemns as a deliberate attempt to vilify the Dalit icon, target a community, and sow hatred and disorder within society.
“ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಜಾಲತಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಹೆಸರಿನ ದ್ವೇಷ ಪ್ರಚಾರ; ಪೊಲೀಸರಿಗೆ ಮನವಿ
The Alleged Campaign
According to the complaint, the fake accounts—using inflammatory names and pseudonyms—have been employed to post abusive language, defamatory writings, and provocative videos. The stated objective of this activity, as per the complainants, is to create unrest and disturb social harmony. The group has labeled these actions as “unconstitutional” and a serious threat to public peace, demanding the swift identification and arrest of those responsible.
Official Condemnation and Demands
Speaking on the issue, Pavithra G, State President of the Dalita Sena Women’s Wing, issued a strong condemnation. She emphasized the gravity of misusing Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy to foster enmity between communities.
“This is a serious crime. Misusing Dr. Ambedkar’s name to create discord between communities is a severe offence. These anti-social elements must be taught a stern lesson through the law,” Pavithra G stated. “It is the duty of the police department to curb the misuse of social media platforms, and immediate action must be taken in this case.”
The complaint was formally submitted to the Director General of Police and the Police Inspector General.
Broader Concerns and Unanswered Questions
The incident raises significant concerns about the weaponization of social media to attack revered figures and destabilize social cohesion. It highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in policing anonymous online hate speech and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Key questions remain: Who is behind this network of profiles, and what is their ultimate motive? How effectively can existing cyber laws tackle such organized, malicious activity? Furthermore, this case underscores the persistent exploitation of caste fault lines for nefarious purposes, demanding a robust institutional response.
The complaint filing was attended by Prakash Hosamani, District Social Media President for Vijayapura district, and Mahesh Jabanur, President for North Karnataka, underscoring the organization’s concern across regions. Police authorities have yet to issue a public statement regarding the investigation.
Key Quotes
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For Attribution: “Misusing Dr. Ambedkar’s name to create discord between communities is a severe offence. These anti-social elements must be taught a stern lesson through the law.” – Pavithra G, State President, Dalita Sena Women’s Wing.
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For Analysis: “This appears to be a coordinated hate campaign, not random trolling. It targets a foundational figure to exploit social divisions, making it a direct challenge to constitutional values and public order.”
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For Attribution: “ಡಾ. ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅವರ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ದುರುಪಯೋಗಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಸಮುದಾಯಗಳ ನಡುವೆ ವೈಷಮ್ಯ ಮೂಡಿಸುವುದು ಗಂಭೀರ ಅಪರಾಧ. ಇಂತಹ ಸಮಾಜ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಶಕ್ತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಕಾನೂನಿನ ಮೂಲಕ ಕಠಿಣ ಪಾಠ ಕಲಿಸಬೇಕು.” – ಪವಿತ್ರಾ ಜಿ, ರಾಜ್ಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷೆ, ದಲಿತ ಸೇನಾ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಘಟಕ.
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For Analysis: “ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಜಾಲತಾಣಗಳು ದ್ವೇಷದ ವೇದಿಕೆಯಾಗಿ ಮಾರ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ, ಈ ಪ್ರಕರಣ ಅಜ್ಞಾತ ಖಾತೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಂಘಟಿತ ಆಕ್ರಮಣ ಹೇಗೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬುದರ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ನಿದರ್ಶನ.”
