Does Jharkhand BJP's Use of Actors in Election Advertisements Cross the Line?

NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against the Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly posting false and misleading videos on social media. The videos, shared on the 'BJP 4 Jharkhand' handle, are accused of targeting leaders of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties.

The FIR, lodged at the Ranchi cybercrime police station, alleges violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other legal provisions. Additionally, authorities have contacted the social media platform to request the removal of the videos under Section 69(A) of the IT Act.

Is Political Advertisement Featuring Lookalike Leaders Considered Misrepresentation or Fair Game in Election Campaigns?

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday, claiming the videos contain baseless allegations and aim to influence voters against opposition parties in the ongoing Jharkhand assembly elections.

Ramesh submitted a memorandum to the EC stating that the advertisement, which appears to take a dig at Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav by featuring three characters resembling them. Ramesh alleged that the INDIA bloc leader were being shown as 'anti-tribal' and how they now want to seek their votes.

Jharkhand will hold its assembly elections in two phases on November 13 and 20.