'Pakistan Zindabad': FSL Report Says Video Original; Congress Defends Itself Amid Heavy Criticism

Row on alleged ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans in a Congress victory celebration has intensified. Amidst demands of dismissal of the Congress government in Karnataka, news of reports of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have sent Congress on backfoot.

According to local news reports by Kannada media, FSL did not find any tweaking in the celebratory video of Congress Member of Parliament Syed Nasser Hussain. 

On 27 February 2024, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had alleged that slogans cheering for Pakistan were raised outside the Karnataka assembly. It was allegedly done in the aftermath of Naseer Hussain being declared as one of the three Congress candidates who secured victory in the Rajya Sabha elections.

A formal complaint was also filed by BJP in Vidhan Soudha police station. The party also launched a ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ campaign, demanding investigation by Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency.

Videos of the celebration circulating on TV channels were sent to FSL. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised strict action if FSL videos proved the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans. “There is no question of protecting those who raised slogans in favour of Pakistan," said Siddaramaiah.

Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet rushed to defend his party on the issue. On his X (formerly twitter) handle, Kharge laid out his hypothesis on the incident. He contended that if the person had shouted in favour of Pakistan, people would have handed him over to the police. Kharge also accused journalists covering the celebration for not doing anything when ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ was raised.

Other Congress leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala and Supriya Shrinate also vociferously defended their party on the issue.

Meanwhile, Byadagi town police have detained Mohmad Shafi Nashipudi. a trader and supporter of Syed Naseer Hussain. He was present at the occasion and his voice sample is being tested.