NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma registered a police complaint against renowned investigative journalist Rana Ayyub, alleging that her tweet referring to NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind as “defamatory, hate-filled and derogatory”.
Filed a complaint against Journalist Rana Ayyub under SC/ST Act, 1989 for her derogatory tweet about Hon'ble Sh. #RamNathKovind ji pic.twitter.com/sVk7ZqjQUk
— Nupur Sharma (@NupurSharmaBJP) June 19, 2017
Soon after BJP chief Amit Shah announced Kovind’s name as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee for the presidential election, Ayyub took to Twitter saying, “And you thought Pratibha Patil was the worst bet.”
And you thought Pratibha Patil was the worst bet https://t.co/1jdGDtJmxF
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) June 19, 2017
In her complaint submitted to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, Nupur Sharma demanded action against Ayyub under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The copy of Sharma’s complaint, circulated by the BJP on Twitter said that Ayyub’s tweet reflected an “extremely casteist, hateful and disrespectful mindset”
The defiant journalist retorted to the police complaint against her, saying the BJP needed to do something better to “intimidate” her.
“Can somebody please advice BJP spokies that if they need to intimidate, at least come up with better ones. I insist!” she tweeted in response to the complaint by Sharma.
Can somebody please advice BJP spokies that if they need to intimidate, at least come up with better ones. I insist !
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) June 19, 2017
In response to the police complaint, Rana tweeted, “If you are done with ur publicity stunt, can I send a copy of Gujarat files where some serious stuff is said about your leaders.”
Dear Nupur, if you are done with ur publicity stunt, can i send a copy of Gujarat files where some serious stuff is said about ur leaders https://t.co/stGp2cAM7T
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) June 19, 2017
Police said they are looking into the complaint.