Cases filed over online abuse against karave leader Narayana gowda amid language row

Bengaluru : Tensions surrounding the ongoing Kannada-Hindi Conflict have escalated after alleged derogatory remarks were made against Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karave) state president Narayana Gowda on social media. Karave activists have now approached the police, leading to multiple cases being registered across Bengaluru and other districts.

Karave, known for its active role in protecting Kannada language, culture, and regional interests, has been at the forefront of recent protests opposing the growing influence of Hindi in Karnataka. Narayana Gowda had recently spoken out against the decision to award grades instead of marks for Hindi in SSLC examinations, which triggered strong reactions online.

According to Karave members, certain individuals posted abusive and insulting comments targeting Gowda on social media platforms. A Facebook user identified as Subhash Mali allegedly made objectionable remarks, which were also shared on another page linked to Mahesh Vikram Hegde. The posts quickly drew outrage among Kannada activists.

Following this, Karave workers filed complaints at multiple police stations, including Annapoorneshwari Nagar and Upparpet in Bengaluru, demanding strict legal action against those responsible for the alleged abuse and threats.

Reacting to the controversy, Narayana Gowda said the organisation would not be intimidated by such actions. “We will not bow down to attempts aimed at weakening our resolve. We believe in legal means and have approached the police. We urge authorities to take swift action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Vikram Hegde has denied any direct involvement, stating on Facebook that he did not personally post the content and that it may have appeared on a page using his name. Police are currently verifying these claims as part of the investigation.

Authorities confirmed that cases related to defamation and online abuse have been registered, and further inquiry is underway to identify those responsible. The incident has once again highlighted the growing tensions around language issues in Karnataka and the role of social media in amplifying such disputes.