Punjab: Election posters on Ram across Amritsar, 20 complaints, little action by ECI

Amid election fervour and campaigning, a poster is drawing locals’ attention in Punjab’s Amritsar. The poster saying “Jo Ram ko laye hain, hum unko layenge (Whoever has brought Ram, we will bring him)” is pasted across the city. 

While the poster itself doesn’t name any political party, it mentions the details of the person who put it up — Dr Rakesh Sharma, a state executive member of the BJP. Newslaundry spoke to Sharma, who said these posters were put up on the instruction of BJP candidate Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

A local resident of Amritsar filed at least 20 complaints with the Election Commission about the posters. In response to some of her complaints, the ECI said the posters had been removed. But replying to others, the poll body said the posters did not violate any norms as they did not carry a symbol of any political party.

Newslaundry also reached out to the District Election Office with queries about the posters and the complaints, but the officials could not be reached despite repeated attempts.

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