FIR against Union Minister for linking Rameshwaram Cafe Blast in Bengaluru with Tamil Nadu

The action was taken against Shobha Karandlaje following a complaint filed by an employee of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

The DMK has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India over her comments.

FIR against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje: The Madurai City Cyber Crime Police on Wednesday filed an FIR against Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje for her comments alleging that ‘the suspect involved in the March 1 blast at Rameshwaram Café in Bengaluru was from Tamil Nadu,” the officials said.

The action was taken against Shobha Karandlaje following a complaint filed by an employee of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). A case has been registered against Karandlaje under Sections 153, 153A, 505 (1) (b) and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned her comments and demanded legal action against her. “Strongly condemn the reckless statement of Union BJP Minister@ShobhaBJP. To make such claims, you must be an NIA officer or closely associated with the #RameshwaramCafeBlast. Clearly she does not have the authority for such claims. Both Tamilians and Kannadigas will reject this divisive rhetoric of the BJP,” CM Stalin said in a post on X on Tuesday evening.

“I also urge appropriate legal action against Shobha as he is a threat to peace, harmony and national unity. From the Prime Minister to the cadre, everyone in the BJP should immediately stop engaging in this dirty, divisive politics. ECI must take note of these hate speeches and take immediate strict action,” he added in his post.

Strongly condemn the Union BJP minister @ShobhaBJP‘s reckless statement. One must be an NIA officer or closely associated with the #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly she does not have the authority for such claims. Both Tamilians and Kannadigas will reject this… https://t.co/wIgk4oK3dh

— MKStalin (@mkstalin) March 19, 2024

Karnataka BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje faced a strong backlash for her comments before apologizing for the same on Tuesday, stating that her comments were “intended to shine light, not cast shadows.”

In a post on Still, I see that my comments have hurt some people – and for that I apologize. My comments were directed solely at those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, which was linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To everyone from Tamilnadu affected by this: From the bottom of my heart I ask for forgiveness. Furthermore, I withdraw my previous comments.”

To my Tamil brothers and sisters,
I want to make it clear that my words were meant to shine light and not cast shadows. Still, I see that my comments have hurt some people – and for that I apologize. My comments were addressed solely to those trained in the Krishnagiri Forest,
1/2

— Shobha Karandlaje (Modi Ka Parivar) (@ShobhaBJP) March 19, 2024

linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To everyone from Tamilnadu affected by this, I ask for forgiveness from the bottom of my heart. Furthermore, I withdraw my previous comments. 🙏

— Shobha Karandlaje (Modi Ka Parivar) (@ShobhaBJP) March 19, 2024

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shobha Karandlaje said that “a man comes from Tamil Nadu, undergoes training there and plants a bomb at Rameshwaram Cafe.”

The DMK also filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday over its comments.

The DMK accused the Union minister of violating the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, and the Model Code of Conduct and asked the ECI to “take appropriate action against Karandlaje.”

DMK alleged that the statement was an attempt to promote feelings of enmity between the people of Karnataka and the people of Tamil Nadu.

At least four people were injured when a massive explosion took place at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Whitefield, Bengaluru.

(With ANI inputs)