Karnataka BJP Deletes Brazen Post Over Jamia Shooting After Twitter Backlash

Amid the controversy over the shocking Jamia shooting, the Karnataka BJP faced backlash on Twitter for a post that seemed to have a lent a tacit support to the UP teen who opened fire at the protesters on Thursday. In the tweet, which has now been deleted, the Karnataka BJP termed sedition accused Sharjeel Imam as ‘action’ and the UP teen as ‘reaction.’ The post used two screenshots and was tweeted around 1:17 pm. But soon after the post, the party faced Twitter’s ire with many calling it as a ‘self-goal’.

A Twitter user named Bittu Sharma advised, “Delete it Don't be silly.” One Karthik Bharadwaj called it ‘self goal by BJP!’. Another user named Tejas Bhatt asked, “What the hell is wrong with you BJP.” “Delete it. Don't fall for the Trap,” said a suer with Twitter handle @boredom_l.

This is not the first time that a state unit of the BJP has sparked a controversy on Twitter with its brazen posts. Earlier on January 28, Tamil Nadu BJP had tweeted a post informing about a special gift to former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Tamil Nadu BJP tweeted a screengrab of the order with a caption: "Dear @OmarAbdulla, It's very disheartening to see you like this while most of your corrupt friends are enjoying life outside."  "Kindly accept our sincere contribution, in case of any assistance feel free to contact ur counterpart @INCIndia for further help in this regard," the tweet further read. The tweet was, however, deleted within an hour.

Students of Jamia Millia Islamia on Friday gathered outside the gate of the varsity to stage a peaceful protest against the amended Citizenship Act, a day after a man fired a pistol at a group of agitators there, injuring a student. The students carried posters that read ‘Stop Hate Speech, Safety really?, What’s in the name’ and ‘Tamache Pe Disco, Jamia se Khisko’.

Condemning the attack on students, the protesters said they were shocked when they saw the man emerge from the crowd and open fire in full public view amidst heavy police presence. A student taking part in the protest, who did not wished to be identified, said, “When I got to know about firing, I rushed to the venue along with my friends to check. All we wanted was a peaceful protest. We have been protesting here for nearly two months. I definitely feel police could have acted much promptly.

Thousands of people and police personnel faced off against each other near the varsity on Thursday after a man fired a pistol at a group of anti-CAA protesters.