Karnataka video clip controversy explained
The 2012 Karnataka video clip controversy, also referred to as Porngate, was a controversy in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly where two ministers of the state cabinet resigned over claims of inappropriate conduct. It is alleged that they viewed a pornographic video on a mobile device while the legislature was in session.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Incident
In February 2012, Spring Zouk, an international festival described as a rave party, was attended by mostly foreign tourists at Udupi beach on at St Mary's Islands.[6] The event is coordinated to increase tourism.[7] At this rave, a video of tourists at the event having sex in public was created[6] and the viewing of this video became the subject of controversy.[8]
At a session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, a camera showed two cabinet ministers, J. Krishna Palemar, Laxman Savadi and C C Patil, allegedly watching pornographic clips on a mobile phone.[9] [10] The ministers said that the video was an investigation of the behavior of foreign tourists at the party on St. Mary's Islands, who were having sex in public and consuming drugs and alcohol at the rave organised by the state tourism department and others.[8]
Reactions
Political
On 8 February, all ministers offered resignation letters and the party accepted their resignations.[11] Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP party leader B. S. Yeddyurappa reprimanded all officials for their behavior.[12] Anna Hazare called for their imprisonment.[13]
Media
An Indian news source claimed that the international media attention of the event was on how the members of the party who were caught viewing the video were in a party which was especially condemning of this sort of behavior.[14]
The public sought information about this event using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.[14] The hashtag "#porngate" was a top trending word on 8 February 2012 on social media site Twitter.[15]
Social
The All India Democratic Women's Association issued a statement that "the anti-women mindset of the former women and child development minister C C Patil, who has been a vocal advocate of dress codes for women, has been thoroughly exposed. The BJP is answerable for justifying and defending hypocrites who indulge in moral policing, while themselves violating all norms of decent behaviour."[16]
See also
- Neil Parish, a British politician involved in a similar scandal
Notes and References
- News: Porngate: Weak cyber act may not find Karnataka ministers guilty. https://archive.today/20120716035101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-09/bangalore/31041088_1_cyber-police-act-obscene-content. dead. 16 July 2012. 9 February 2012. The Times of India. 9 February 2012.
- News: Porngate: For anyone else, it would have been 5-yr jail with fine. 9 February 2012. Deccan Chronicle. 9 February 2012. 9 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120209140154/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/porngate-anyone-else-it-would-have-been-5-yr-jail-fine-299. dead.
- News: Porngate: Ministers barred from attending Assembly. 9 February 2012. Zee News. 8 February 2012.
- News: Porn-gate may trouble trio. https://web.archive.org/web/20120211201047/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/porngate-may-trouble-trio/228540-60-119.html. dead. 11 February 2012. 9 February 2012. IBN. 9 February 2012.
- News: Setback for BJP as three 'porngate' ministers quit. 9 February 2012. Business Standard.
- Web site: Karnataka government shamed over sex on Udupi beach . Aravind . Gowda . indiatoday.intoday.in . 7 February 2012 . 9 February 2012.
- Web site: Govt appoints inquiry committee over 'Spring Zouk' party on island . newkerala.com . 2012 . 9 February 2012.
- Web site: Porngate: 'Watched video to know about rave party happenings' - Indian Express . TA . Johnson. indianexpress.com . 9 February 2012 . 9 February 2012.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16940221 India ministers in Karnataka quit amid pornography row
- Web site: Porn row:Cong says hiatus between preaching & practice by BJP . https://web.archive.org/web/20160125053416/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/porn-rowcong-says-hiatus-between-preaching-practice-bjp-040 . dead . 25 January 2016 . . 8 February 2012 . 8 February 2012.
- Web site: Porngate: 3 Karnataka ministers resign, BJP strength down to 24 - Indian Express . indianexpress.com . 8 February 2012 . 8 February 2012.
- Web site: Porngate: BJP got BSY to ask ministers to resign. https://web.archive.org/web/20120212000336/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/bangalore/Porngate--BJP-got-BSY-to-ask-ministers-to-resign/Article1-808321.aspx. dead. 12 February 2012. Hindustan Times. 9 February 2012.
- Web site: Porngate: Anna wants 3 ministers to be jailed — Hindustan Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20120209145459/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Porngate-Anna-wants-3-ministers-to-be-jailed/Article1-808825.aspx . dead . 9 February 2012 . hindustantimes.com . 2012 . 9 February 2012.
- Web site: Bangalore: Karnataka's 'Dirty Picture' is a Worldwide Hit! . daijiworld.com . 9 February 2012 . 9 February 2012.
- News: Karnataka Assembly's porngate becomes a rage on Twitter. 9 February 2012. Daily Bhaskar. 8 February 2012.
- Web site: Women groups demand criminal action against porngate MLAs . https://archive.today/20120714173127/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-11/india/31049639_1_bjp-ministers-anti-women-criminal-proceedings . dead . 14 July 2012 . 11 February 2012 . . 11 February 2012.
