It's Kannada Media Versus This Congress MP Over 'Pakistan Zindabad'

The Kannada electronic media is not too pleased with Congress MP Syed Nasser Hussain's response to the allegations of 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans.

Here's what happened: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that following Hussain's victory in the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday (27 February), there were instances of pro-Pakistan slogans being raised in the Karnataka Assembly.

A formal complaint was lodged by the BJP at the Vidhana Soudha police station, alleging that Hussain's supporters chanted 'Pakistan Zindabad' (long live Pakistan) after his win.

Responding to the complaint, the Bengaluru city police initiated a suo moto case, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured of "strict action" pending investigation into the allegations.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that video footage from TV channels covering the incident has been obtained by the police and forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further scrutiny.

Congress leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala, Supriya Shrinate, Priyank Kharge have stepped into Hussain's defence and blamed the BJP for 'spreading fake news'.

Hussain responded to the allegations by stating that ”if someone has raised such a slogan, then he must be dealt with sternly.” He asserted that he did not hear any 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans and instead claimed that his supporters were chanting "Nasser Saab Zindabad" in celebration of his victory.

Unfortunately for him, a tiff with a reporter from a local news channel was circulated widely on 'X'.

When a news anchor from NewsFirst Kannada got Hussain on a call to ask him about the incident, the latter was on the defensive. He said that "he would have personally slapped that person then and there." In response, the news anchor said, "you were more interested in slapping reporters," taking a jibe at Hussain's spat with the media.

Republic Kannada journalist Jayaprakash Shetty's comments on Hussain's gesture has gained thousands of views on YouTube and Twitter (now X). In the video, Shetty says "You are the one who patronised your leaders and secured a ticket to contest elections. You do not have the courage or the patriotism to slap the person who chanted 'Pakistan Zindabad', yet you dare shoo us away?"

Senior journalist Ajit Hanumakkanavar, who is a news anchor at Suvarna News, also raised the issue in his show. He explained why the media is right in questioning Hussain — "We were concerned that your reputation may be maligned by association. We were only hoping that you turn around and tell the person that he is wrong. Instead, you are being aggressive with the media, who are only wishing you well. We have no reason left to be nice to you."

Veteran journalists like H R Ranganath from Public TV, Chandan Sharma of Vistara News, and FirstNews Kannada anchors also emphasised the same point. All their clips are doing the rounds on social media and with the latest statement from Congress leader B K Hariprasad who said, "Pakistan is BJP's enemy, not ours," troubles for Hussain and Congress seem to be mounting.

Such troubles have come knocking on the party's door in the past too.

At an anti-CAA rally in Bengaluru in 2020, one Amulya Leona was caught on camera chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad'. AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, present on stage, had to step in and clarify that he or his party does not associate themselves with Leona and her comments.

Following this incident, photos emerged on social media where Leona was seen posing alongside Congress leaders like Kavitha Reddy in the past. Kavitha and Leona were also seen at the Mangaluru airport heckling the founder of Postcard News, Mahesh Vikram Hegde.

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge has set up an 'anti-fake news' unit to crack down against misinformation. At the moment though, it looks unlikely that the department will be pressed into action.

Firstly, senior ministers of the government themselves have come forward and promised punitive action in case allegations of the Pakistan slogan being raised are proven. Secondly, a majority of the electronic media in Kannada is running the story among their headlines. If the 'anti-fake news' department has to initiate action, it will have to do so against almost every Kannada news channel.