Sudhir Chaudhary of 'Aaj Tak' faces legal charges

FIR registered for questioning injustice against Hindus

Asked a question regarding Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme

Sudhir Chaudhary, Aaj Tak Anchor (Credit : Aaj Tak)

Bengaluru, Karnataka – Allegations of attempting to disrupt communal harmony have been registered against Sudhir Chaudhary, a journalist from the ‘Aaj Tak’ News Channel, after he raised his voice against injustice towards Hindus. Chaudhary questioned the Karnataka Government’s “Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme,” which appeared to benefit only the minority community (Muslims) and not Hindus. He claimed that this scheme unfairly favoured Muslims over poor Hindus in Karnataka.

It is alleged that during a programme on the Channel, Sudhir Chaudhary was providing information about a Government scheme (Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme) funded by the Karnataka Minority Welfare Department. He asserted that the scheme’s benefits were exclusively reserved for the minority community (Muslims) and not available to Hindus, leading to injustice against Hindus, particularly the poor.

Deliberate and malicious attempt to provide misinformation – Minister Priyank Kharge accuses Sudhir Chaudhary

In response to these allegations, Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Congress Government Minister accused Sudhir Chaudhary of ‘Aaj Tak’ of deliberately spreading misinformation about Government schemes. He claimed that the journalist had intentionally disseminated incorrect information about Government programmes, a complaint initially raised by BJP leaders and encouraged by media. Legal action will be taken against this.

The anchor of @aajtak is deliberately spreading misinformation on Government schemes which was first started by BJP MPs & is being amplified by sections of media.

This is deliberate & malicious, Govt will be taking necessary legal action pic.twitter.com/nD5FuAf3nu

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) September 12, 2023

Is the ‘Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme’ inclusive of Hindus ? – Sudhir Chaudhary

Sudhir Chaudhary took to Twitter to respond to the allegations, stating whether FIR was a response to questioning the Karnataka Congress Government ? He affirmed that he was fully committed to pursuing justice. He questioned whether the “Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme” included Hindus ? The matter will now be taken up in Court.

कर्नाटक में कांग्रेस सरकार द्वारा मेरे ख़िलाफ़ FIR की जानकारी मिली।
सवाल का जवाब FIR ?
वो भी ग़ैर ज़मानती धाराओं के साथ।
यानी गिरफ़्तारी की पूरी तैयारी
मेरा सवाल ये था कि स्वावलंबी सारथी योजना में हिंदू समुदाय शामिल क्यों नहीं है ?
इस लड़ाई के लिए भी मैं तैयार हूँ।
अब अदालत… https://t.co/3loIh9rGNh

— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) September 12, 2023

BJP opposes Karnataka Government’s action – Tejasvi Surya

Tejasvi Surya, a prominent BJP member, accused the Government of targeting Chaudhary and said that such actions constitute a direct assault on the media.

For asking legitimate questions about implementation of a government scheme, Congress State Govt of Karnataka is going on a witch-hunt against @aajtak and Sri @sudhirchaudhary by filing FIRs.

This state led witch-hunt is a direct assault on the freedom of press.

Whether it’s…

— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) September 13, 2023

What is the Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme ?

The Karnataka Swavalambi Sarathi Scheme provides Government assistance for the purchase of four-wheeler vehicles to unemployed youth from minority communities in Karnataka, including Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis. (Do Hindus who elected the Congress Government in Karnataka approve of such schemes ? – Editor)