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The party in a post on X, said that BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Arnab Goswami, made a malicious attempt to malign Congress.
The Congress Legal Cell said it was a “malicious attempt” to malign the party. (Image: PTI)
The Congress Party on Tuesday filed an FIR against BJP leader Amit Malviya and a reputed journalist alleging defamation and accusing them for spreading malicious disinformation about the grand-old party having an office in Turkey.
The Indian Youth Congress’ Legal Cell (IYC), in a post on X, said that BJP’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Arnab Goswami, made a malicious attempt to malign Congress and they will not stay silent.
“Under the direction of @IYC In-charge Shri @Allavaru Ji, National President @UdayBhanuIYC Ji, and Our Chairman @RoopeshINC Ji, an FIR has been registered under non-bailable sections against @amitmalviya and Arnab Goswami Editor-in-Chief, @republic for defaming the constitutional office of the Leader of Opposition, Shri @RahulGandhi ji,” the post said.
In their post, the party also mentioned defamation of “the constitutional office of the Leader of Opposition” Rahul Gandhi.
“This malicious attempt to malign @INC, provoke unrest, and undermine national security is a direct attack on democracy. We will not stay silent. Let this be a clear message: Any attempt to spread fake news against our party or its leadership will be met with firm legal and political response,” it added.
Earlier today, Malviya called Gandhi “modern age Mir Jafar” and said that the Congress leader is “speaking the language of Pakistan and its benefactors”. Malviya made these remarks after Gandhi called out External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over Operation Sindoor.
Allegations Against Malviya, Goswami
In its complaint, the grand-old party alleged that Malviya and Goswami started spreading a fake claim that the Istanbul Congress Center in Turkey is the office of the Indian National Congress.
“This act was executed with clear and undeniable criminal intent to deceive the Indian public, defame a major political institution, manipulate nationalist sentiments, incite public unrest, and undermine national security and democratic integrity,” the FIR read as shared by the party.
“This orchestrated campaign is not a mere ethical lapse but a deliberate criminal conspiracy, executed with premeditation to cause public harm, destabilize the nation, and advance partisan agendas. The accused have abused their positions of influence-Mr. Malviya as a key political strategist and Mr. Goswami as a prominent media figure-to perpetrate a grave assault on truth, public safety, and national interest,” the FIR read further.
Malviya Reacts
Additionally, Amit Malviya shared Arnab’s clip on X and wrote “The FIR is for this video. Imagine.”
Meanwhile, before Congress announced the filing of the case, Republic had issued a corrigendum, saying it had inadvertently erroneously used an image depicting Congress office in Turkey.
Following Turkey and Azerbaijan’s support for Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor, the calls to boycott these two countries have gained momentum.
Turkey and Azerbaijan backed Pakistan and condemned India’s recent strikes on terror camps in that country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) under ‘Operation Sindoor’. Pakistan also used Turkish drones on a large scale in the conflict.
While India’s trade ties with the two countries have already come under scrutiny, multiple educational institutions, including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), have either suspended their collaboration with universities in Turkey or are considering it.
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