Karnataka Home Minister says sedition case filed against Amnesty India International

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday said a case has been filed against the India brand of Amnesty International for raising pro-Kashmir freedom slogans at a Bengaluru based event.

"We have to now look into it more seriously, they have taken the case, registered an FIR, investigating what exactly has happened and also looking to those videos and CCTV tapings. Whatever the police investigations, according to that, action will be taken," said Parameshwara.

A case was registered on Monday against Amnesty International India under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 124A, 142, 143, 147, 153 in connection with alleged raising of "independence" slogans by "pro-freedom" Kashmiris who entered into arguments with a Kashmiri Pandit leader for hailing the Indian Army.

A panel discussion on Saturday had turned chaotic as some "pro-freedom" Kashmiris, entered into heated arguments with a Kashmiri Pandit leader for hailing the Indian Army.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists, who staged a protest against the event and called it "anti-national", had also filed a complaint.

The event was organised by Amnesty International India at United Theological College.

The Indian chapter of Amnesty International has said that if it is yet to receive a copy of the case filed in Bengaluru, but has questioned why organizing an event to defend Constitutional values is being branded as "anti-India" and "Criminalised".