Saffron tactics: ‘Pro-Pak slogan’ added to video of Cong victory celebration in Mangaluru

Manglauru, May 21: When a group of Congress workers in this coastal city celebrated victory after chief minister B S Yeddyurappa tendered resignation without facing trust vote last Saturday, a few miscreants added a “pro-Pak slogan” to the video of their celebration and posted it on social media platforms.

The 139-second video, wherein sloganeering in support of Pakistan was inserted using an editing software to deceive people, went viral within hours as people began to share it widely on Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

Though it’s not sure who doctored to defame those who had taken part in the celebration in front of Congress office in the city, most of those who shared the video on social media platforms were either Bharatiya Janata Party activists or sympathisers.

J R Lobo, former MLA of Mangaluru City South, who had led the victory celebration today met city police commissioner Vipul Kumar along with a delegation and urged him to arrest those behind the doctored video. In a memorandum submitted to the commissioner he described the miscreants as anti-nationals who wanted to disrupt peace in the society.

Meanwhile, the city police chief has warned social media enthusiasts against sharing the doctored video. “We are verifying the controversial video and prima facie it looks to be a doctored one,” said the top cop.

“We will take necessary action against the person who first posted the videos on social media. Action will be taken against those who have forwarded it too,” he assured.

He also urged people to refrain from forwarding or sharing controversial messages, photos and videos on social media. “Police will take action against those who circulate messages that would create tension in the society. Instead if anyone receives such controversial messages or videos he or she should forward it to the police,” he said.