Bengaluru: Former Mysuru BJP lawmaker Pratap Simha has been booked for his inflammatory remarks targeting the Muslim community during a recent event in Karnataka. His comments, made at the “Hindu Maha Ganapati Visarjana Shobha Yatra” in Shahpur city on September 21, have sparked widespread backlash and raised concerns over communal tensions, reports The Indian Express.
During his speech, Simha questioned the involvement of Muslims in incidents of stone pelting during Ganesh idol immersion processions. He reportedly asked, “Why is the tendency to throw stones seen only in Muslims? If all the Hindus held a stone in their hands, do you know what would happen?”
The inflammatory nature of his remarks led members of the local Muslim community to file a formal complaint, prompting police action. Shahpur Inspector DV Nayak confirmed that an FIR has been registered against Simha, citing Sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 192 (provocation for riot) of the Indian Penal Code.
Simha’s speech included threats and divisive rhetoric, warning the Muslim community not to “underestimate” Hindus. He ominously stated, “Hindus who created nuclear bombs, don’t assume they cannot create petrol bombs,” referencing recent communal clashes in Nagamangala, Mandya district. He further escalated tensions by claiming, “Hindus who run the world’s software industry, don’t assume they can’t attack you… if all Hindus take one stone in their hands, you will not survive for very long.”
This is not the first time Simha has attracted controversy; he previously issued visitor passes during the last Lok Sabha session to individuals who were later involved in throwing canisters in the lower house.
The situation remains volatile as calls for accountability and communal harmony grow louder in response to Simha’s remarks.
