Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Monday, 3 December, that he will file a defamation case against a television channel for allegedly airing a fake video about pro-Pakistan slogans raised at his rally in Rajasthan's Alwar two days ago, news agency PTI reported.
He said the slogans were of ‘jo bole so nihaal’ but were purportedly shown as if they were pro-Pakistan.
"I am going to file a defamation case after consulting with my lawyer. I cannot compromise with the name I have earned," he told reporters at the Congress office in Jaipur. It is not clear which channel the cricketer-turned-politician was speaking about.
Sidhu said he does not need to give any proof of loyalty towards India. Without referring to the BJP, the Punjab minister said such things were done because his campaign was getting a "tremendous response.”
The Controversy
Sidhu had addressed a rally in Khairthal, Alwar, on 1 December.
Airing a video of the rally – which is doing the rounds online – some TV channels said ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised the public meeting.
Congress Calls It a ‘Doctored Video’
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the news channels were spreading wrong information and that the video circulating online was “absolutely doctored.” He also tweeted the “original” clip of Sidhu’s rally.
The Complete Video?
A longer YouTube video of the rally, however, showed supporters purportedly raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans at the rally.
In the above video, slogans can be heard at 6:19 minutes. Incidentally, the clip tweeted by Congress leaders is taken from 6:23 minutes i.e. after the pro-Pakistan slogans were purportedly raised. It is not known if this video is authentic.
(With inputs from PTI)
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