A file photo of RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
| Photo Credit: H S MANJUNATH
Bantwal Rural police booked Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat on June 2 for allegedly delivering a hate speech with an intention to create enmity between communities.
Dakshina Kannada SP K Arun on Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun on booking Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for provocative speech at a public event near Mangaluru, on June 2, 2025.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
According to the police, Mr. Bhat had delivered the speech at the Madhwa Palace marriage hall in Kavalapadur village of Bantwal taluk, in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, on May 12 at a programme to condole the murder of Suhas Shetty at Bajpe. While addressing about 500 persons at the meeting, Mr. Bhat had delivered an inciting address that could spoil social health and create enmity between communities, police said.
As the speech could affect the law and order situation in the district, police booked Mr. Bhat under Section 353 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita. The provision prescribes up to three years’ imprisonment and fine for a person making, publishing or circulating any statement or report containing false information, rumour or alarming news, which could create or promote hatred or ill-will between communities.
12 persons booked for unlawful assembly
On June 1, the Kadaba police booked 12 persons for holding a protest in front of the police station without necessary permission, for the offence of unlawful assembly.
According to Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun, the police were contacting and meeting leaders of various organisations as part of efforts to maintain law and order in the district. Among other things, they are keeping tabs on the movement and activities of various persons of interest.
Dakshina Kannada SP K Arun on communal disturbance in district
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun on preventive steps being taken in view of murders on communal lines and communal disturbance in the district, on June 2, 2025.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Opposing the police action, Pramod Rai, Sharath, Shreyath and Tilak from Nandugiri, Mohan from Kerekodi, Chandrashekhar, Umesh and Deekaiah from Noojibalthila, Mahesh and Sujith from Kutrupady, K. Radhakrishna, Jayanth, and three others, held a protest in front of the police station, according to the police.
BJP MLA’s warning about ‘Police Raj’
Taking serious objections to the police booking Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for hate speech, former minister and Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar accused the government of attempting to introduce ‘Police Raj’ in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
“This is not acceptable,” Mr. Kumar said in a statement urging the government to build confidence among all sections of society instead. “The government has been targeting only Hindu leaders, including Mr. Bhat, in the guise of containing hate speech by booking frivolous cases. While the government itself is indulging in hate mongering, the merciless action is targeted only against Hindu organisations.”
He asked who was responsible for fomenting violence and enmity in Dakshina Kannada. “Why are the police not touching those brandishing lethal weapons and talking of murder? Is the police action confined to those protesting police atrocities or sending dissent messages across social media.
“The latest police action will only escalate the tension in Dakshina Kannada district,” Mr. Kumar said.
He cautioned the government not to be under the illusion of restoring peace by filing FIRs. “The need of the hour is confidence-building measures,” he added.
Published – June 02, 2025 11:18 am IST