The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar, has been booked following a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawala, for alleged communal remarks made during a TV debate. The FIR was lodged in Noida, and Poonawala accused Kakkar of using the term “Mujahideen” and making “extremely communally loaded” statements against him during the televised discussion on a private channel held on July 25.
According to police sources, Poonawala filed the complaint claiming that Kakkar’s remarks abused his faith and further alleged that she has previously made similar comments on-air and off-air, targeting his faith, Islam, and Muslims in general. The complaint raised concerns about AAP’s alleged hate-filled mindset towards Muslims.
In response to the accusations, Priyanka Kakkar took to Twitter and questioned the meaning of terms like “Mujahideen” and “Shehzad,” pointing out that such terms do not inherently signify terrorist activities. She also criticized Poonawala for referring to a chief minister as “Jihadi.”
As the situation escalated, Kakkar further questioned the complainant’s right to refer to a political opponent as “Shishu” (child). The exchange between the two spokespersons on social media has intensified, with tough questions being posed by Kakkar to Poonawala.
The FIR against Priyanka Kakkar has been lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), and 505 (public mischief).
Shehzad Poonawala has also taken legal action against Kakkar, sending her a criminal defamation notice. Furthermore, he has requested the police to issue a show-cause notice to AAP, seeking an explanation from the party convener, Arvind Kejriwal, regarding the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida), Harish Chander, confirmed the registration of the FIR and stated that further investigations are underway.
As the matter continues to unfold, it has ignited debates about responsible speech and discourse among political representatives. Authorities are now examining the case to determine if there is any merit to the allegations made by Shehzad Poonawala against Priyanka Kakkar, and the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering respectful and constructive dialogue within the political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
