Mangaluru: Karnataka Police have filed a case against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and organisers of a Deepotsava event in Uppalige after a complaint alleged that his speech promoted religious hatred and insulted women. The event took place on October 20, and the case was registered on October 25 at Puttur Rural Police Station.
According to the police, Bhat’s speech, which was streamed on the YouTube channel Kahale News, included derogatory remarks aimed at both Hindu and Muslim communities. The complaint stated that his comments threatened public peace and violated sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting enmity, disturbing public tranquillity, and insulting religious beliefs.
The police have booked the case under Crime No. 118/2025. The complainant, a resident of Puttur taluk, alleged that Bhat’s reference to voter identities and his inflammatory language were designed to deepen religious divides.
The controversy comes amid growing concern over hate speech across India. Only a week earlier, Union Minister Giriraj Singh drew criticism for calling Muslim voters “namak haraams” during a public rally in Bihar’s Arwal district. His remarks were widely condemned by rights groups and opposition parties as divisive and offensive.
The back-to-back incidents have reignited debate over the accountability of public figures and the spread of communal rhetoric that undermines social harmony and women’s dignity.
