Mangaluru: A controversial post allegedly insulting Sulya MLA Bhagirathi Murulya has gone viral on social media, triggering strong reactions from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers across Dakshina Kannada district. The post, shared from a Facebook account named Billava Sandesh, has drawn widespread condemnation, with BJP leaders demanding the immediate arrest of the person responsible for creating and circulating the content.
Viral post sparks outrage
The viral post used the image of Sulya MLA Bhagirathi Murulya and contained remarks that BJP leaders described as derogatory, insulting and defamatory. The content of the post allegedly targeted the MLA personally and questioned her role and commitment, using language that party leaders claim was intended to ridicule and provoke.
The post read: “Dalit community MLA Bhagirathi Murulya, instead of standing for the oppressed Dalit community, has distanced herself from everyone today. We offer a heartfelt tribute and pray that God gives her distancing power to BJP workers.”
Screenshots of the post were widely circulated across Facebook and other social media platforms, leading to sharp criticism from party supporters and members of various organisations.
Complaint lodged by BJP Mahila Morcha
Following the circulation of the post, the Sulya BJP Mahila Morcha lodged a formal complaint at the Sulya Police Station. In the complaint, the women’s wing of the party demanded strict legal action against the individual operating the Billava Sandesh Facebook account.
Leaders of the Mahila Morcha stated that the post not only insulted an elected representative but also attempted to malign her image in public by making baseless and offensive remarks. They alleged that the content amounted to deliberate character assassination and was aimed at spreading hatred and misinformation.
Demand for arrest and police action
BJP leaders have strongly urged the police to identify and arrest the person responsible for the post at the earliest. They have also appealed to the Senior Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada to personally intervene in the matter and ensure swift action.
Party leaders warned that failure to act decisively could encourage similar misuse of social media platforms to target public representatives and create social unrest. They emphasised that social media freedom should not be misused to spread defamatory or insulting content against individuals, particularly elected representatives.
Condemnation by party leaders
Several BJP leaders have publicly condemned the post, calling it an irresponsible and malicious act. They stated that such posts lower the quality of public discourse and undermine democratic values.
According to BJP representatives, criticism of public figures should remain within the bounds of decency and law. “Personal attacks and insulting language have no place in a democracy. This post crosses all limits and deserves strict legal action,” a senior party leader said.
Concerns over misuse of social media
The incident has once again brought attention to the growing misuse of social media platforms for personal attacks, misinformation and defamatory campaigns. BJP leaders pointed out that anonymous or pseudo-named accounts are increasingly being used to target politicians, activists and public figures without accountability.
They urged the police and cybercrime authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and take stringent action against those who misuse digital platforms to spread hate or insult individuals.
Legal aspects under scrutiny
Legal experts noted that posts of this nature could attract provisions under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, particularly if they are found to be defamatory, inflammatory or intended to cause public disharmony.
Police sources indicated that the complaint filed by the Sulya BJP Mahila Morcha would be examined, and appropriate sections of law would be invoked after a preliminary inquiry. Efforts are expected to be made to trace the administrator of the Facebook account through cybercrime investigation procedures.
MLA yet to respond publicly
As of Wednesday evening, MLA Bhagirathi Murulya had not issued a public statement regarding the viral post. Party leaders, however, said that the matter was being pursued seriously and that legal remedies would be sought to protect her dignity and reputation.
Supporters of the MLA expressed solidarity with her and criticised what they described as a targeted online attack intended to tarnish her image.
Rising demand for accountability
The controversy has reignited calls for stricter regulation and accountability on social media platforms. BJP leaders reiterated the need for prompt action to send a strong message that online abuse and defamatory content will not be tolerated.
They also appealed to the public to refrain from sharing or amplifying such posts, stating that responsible use of social media is essential to maintain social harmony and respect for democratic institutions.
Conclusion
The viral post targeting Sulya MLA Bhagirathi Murulya has led to political outrage and demands for immediate police action. With a formal complaint now lodged and senior police officials urged to intervene, the case is expected to test the authorities’ response to alleged online defamation and misuse of social media. The incident underscores the growing challenge of balancing free expression with accountability in the digital age.