Legal Case Against Salman Khurshid and His Niece Over Vote Jihad Remark Conflict

The video of Maria Alam’s statement has gone viral on social media. Seeking votes for INDIA bloc candidate Naval Kishore Shakya on Monday, Ms. Alam, a Samajwadi Party (SP) leader, made an appeal for “vote jihad”, terming it as necessary in the current situation for the minority community to drive away the BJP government. Taking cognizance of the remarks made by Maria Alam, a case was registered against her for violating the provisions of the IPC and Representation of People Act following a complaint made by the Flying Squad and Surveillance Team. Police said a case was also registered against Mr. Khurshid, who was the chief guest at the election meeting in Kaimganj.

The SHO of Kaimganj police station, Ramautar, on Tuesday told PTI, “A case was registered against Maria Alam and Salman Khurshid on the basis of a complaint made by the Flying Squad and Surveillance Team.” He added that the case was registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC, and section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the Representation of People Act. Ms. Alam emphasized the importance of voting intelligently without getting influenced by anyone, stating, “People say that Constitution and democracy are under threat. But I say that insaniyat (humanity) is under threat.

Now there is an attack on ‘insaniyat’. If you want to save the country, its beauty and ‘ganga-jamuni’ (composite) culture, then vote very intelligently.” Her uncle, Mr. Khurshid, commented on the statement, saying, “Jihad means to fight against a situation. Her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution.”

On his candidature from INDIA bloc, Mr. Khurshid stated that he was offered a Congress ticket from Aligarh but declined, saying, “I am Salman Khurshid from Farrukhabad and I stay that only.” This was the first public meeting of the INDIA bloc in Farrukhabad, with most of the senior leaders of the Congress and the SP present together on the dias.