Karnataka video clip controversy

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]

For the Pennsylvania State pornographic email leaks, see Kathleen Kane.

2012 Karnataka video clip controversy
Vidhana Soudha
LocationKarnataka Legislative Assembly, Vidhana Soudha
Also known asPorngate
Filmed byLocal media
ParticipantsBhartiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Janata Dal (Secular)
OutcomeResignation from ministerial berths
InquestConstitution of six-member Special House Committee to probe allegations
ChargesBJP MLAs accusedof watching an obscene film while the house was in session

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, 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]

References
  1. "Porngate: Weak cyber act may not find Karnataka ministers guilty". The Times of India. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  2. "Porngate: For anyone else, it would have been 5-yr jail with fine". Deccan Chronicle. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  3. "Porngate: Ministers barred from attending Assembly". Zee News. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  4. "Porn-gate may trouble trio". IBN. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  5. "Setback for BJP as three 'porngate' ministers quit". Business Standard. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  6. Gowda, Aravind (7 February 2012). "Karnataka government shamed over sex on Udupi beach". indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  7. "Govt appoints inquiry committee over 'Spring Zouk' party on island". newkerala.com. 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  8. Johnson, TA (9 February 2012). "Porngate: 'Watched video to know about rave party happenings' - Indian Express". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  9. India ministers in Karnataka quit amid pornography row, BBC News, 8 February 2012, accessed on 10 February 2012
  10. "Porn row:Cong says hiatus between preaching & practice by BJP | Deccan Chronicle". deccanchronicle.com. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  11. "Porngate: 3 Karnataka ministers resign, BJP strength down to 24 - Indian Express". indianexpress.com. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  12. "Porngate: BJP got BSY to ask ministers to resign". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  13. "Porngate: Anna wants 3 ministers to be jailed — Hindustan Times". hindustantimes.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  14. "Bangalore: Karnataka's 'Dirty Picture' is a Worldwide Hit!". daijiworld.com. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  15. "Karnataka Assembly's porngate becomes a rage on Twitter". Daily Bhaskar. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  16. "Women groups demand criminal action against porngate MLAs". The Times of India. 11 February 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
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