Court restrains police from taking coercive action against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat
RSS leader: The Puttur Sixth Additional Sessions Court in Dakshina Kannada has directed police not to take any coercive action, including arrest, against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat in connection with the FIR filed over an allegedly provocative speech he delivered during a recent event. The court has adjourned the next hearing to October 29.
The case pertains to a Deepotsava programme held at Uppalige in Puttur taluk on October 20, where Prabhakar Bhat allegedly made remarks that were considered communal and derogatory towards women. Based on a complaint filed by Eshwari Padmunj, the Puttur Rural Police registered an FIR against Bhat and the event organisers under sections 79, 196, 299, 302, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The police had earlier issued a notice to Bhat to appear for inquiry on October 30, prompting him to approach the court seeking relief from arrest. Acting on his plea, the court ordered that no coercive measures be taken until the next hearing.
In his controversial speech, Bhat had reportedly made remarks comparing childbirth among Muslim women to animal reproduction and questioned whether Hindus would bear children “for Mahalingeshwara” the way Muslims do “for Allah”.
He also claimed that Hindus were outnumbered in Ullal constituency, saying that with over 1.1 lakh votes belonging to “Byari Muslims” and only 90,000 Hindus, “Hindus cannot win there unless every family has at least three children.”
The remarks sparked outrage, with critics accusing the RSS leader of inciting communal hatred. Meanwhile, his supporters have defended him, claiming his comments were taken out of context.
With the court granting interim protection, the focus now shifts to the October 29 hearing, where the prosecution is expected to submit its preliminary report on the case.
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