New Delhi: The election commission on Thursday strongly disapproves the language used by BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi of ‘khooni panja’ a fortnight ago. The commission’s order came on a Congress complaint against Modi who had slammed the party’s election symbol, a hand, as a ‘khooni Panja’ and a ‘zalim haath’.
However, Narendra Modi had defended his comments by arguing that the commission could prohibit defamatory remarks, but could not use the model code to curb his fundamental right of expression and speech enshrined in the Constitution.
Meanwhile EC did not satisfied with his explanation and said that political parties had to conform to “dignity, decorum and public morality”. EC also said that use of such expressions cannot but be “construed as injurious” to the cause of decorous political discourse.
The commission concluded that Modi was referring to the Congress election symbol of hand and his remarks were violation of the model code, which restricts criticism of the political parties on their policies and programmers, past record and work.
“The model code of conduct can only prohibit such criticism which amounts to a defamation in which a defence of truth is not available. Thus, if a corrupt person or entity is referred to as corrupt, the maker of the allegation would not be guilty of either defamation or violation of model code of conduct as long as he can justify the charge made. A complete prohibition of any form of criticism would be in violation of the right of free speech”, respond Modi to EC.
Bureau Report
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