Bhatt reportedly targeted Muslim married women while speaking during Hanuma Jayanti celebrations in Srirangapatna in Mandya.
An FIR was filed against RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhatt for delivering hate speech in Mandya on 24 December. (Supplied)
In a significant development, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against RSS leader Kalladaka Prabhakar Bhatt on Wednesday, 27 December, following his controversial remarks during the Sankirtana Yatra ceremony organised as part of Hanuman Jayanti in the Srirangapatna taluka in Karnataka’s Mandya district on Sunday.
The FIR points to potential violations of multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), highlighting the gravity of the accusations against Bhatt.
His statements, particularly targeting the Muslim community, ignited a firestorm of criticism, leading JD(S) leader and social activist Nazma Nazeer to lodge a complaint against Bhatt at the Srirangapatna Police Station on 26 December.
In her complaint, Nazma alleged that Prabhakar was a “frequent offender” and had indulged in provoking communal tension and issuing derogatory remarks targeting women. She demanded stringent action against the RSS leader.
Based on the complaint, Mandya police filed an FIR against Prabhakar Bhatt under IPC Sections 354, 294, 509, 509, 506, 153A, 295, 295A, and 298.
The police are probing the incident. No arrest has been made in connection with the case so far.
The Kalaburagi unit of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has also filed a complaint against Bhatt — this time in Kalaburagi City.
Several Hindu outfits, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, have condemned the FIR against Bhatt.
The allegations against Bhatt encompass various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including those related to incitement of violence, violation of women’s privacy, and contempt of court.
In a complaint, JD(S) leader Nazma alleged: “Prabhakar Bhatt, speaking at the Sankirtana Yatra ceremony organised as part of Hanuman Jayanti, said Muslim women have one husband a day and that they do not have a permanent husband. He also said that the Modi government had given them permanent husbands.”
She claimed he said that young Muslim men as well as women were cheating people, and that Hindu men and women were being trapped with Love Jihad.
She also alleged that he asked people: “Aren’t there men and women on your side?”
“This statement is a case of inciting the public to sexually abuse and dominate women. This statement is about the violation of women’s privacy, sexually abusing a woman, inciting the public to use force on a woman, threatening a woman’s private matter, speaking indecently about a woman in a public place, teasing women in public, disturbing the dignity of women. This is an offence under IPC Sections 294, 354, 509, and 506,” pointed out Nazma.
She also said: “Bhatt continued, ‘Muslims have many countries, but there is only India for Hindus. We have to fight for that. How can we Hindus remain in the country?’”
She alleged that he said: “If the Hindu population declines, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans will be raised. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said that the first part of the country’s income was for Muslims, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that ₹10,000 crore should be reserved for Muslims.”
She said in her complaint: “This creates mistrust, social unrest, and disturbance between the two religions. These statements amount to offences under IPC Sections 153A, 295, 295A, and 298.”
She continued: “Prabhakar Bhatt publicly said, ‘How is our court system? Courts opened at night for Kasab.’ Only a person who has no faith in the Indian Constitution and judicial system can say this. Terrorist Kasab has nothing to do with the Indian Muslim community. Every citizen of India — including Muslims — condemned Kasab’s act. But Bhatt used Kasab for his actions. He also criticised the court that sentenced Kasab.”
The JD(S) leader noted that criticism of the court’s decision to punish Kasab under IPC Section 12 and the Contempt of Court Act of 1971.
Nazma said in her complaint: “Bhatt, in the past, committed similar acts that led to social unrest, riots, denigration of women, molestation of girls, and desecration of religion. Similar cases have been registered against him in many police stations of Karnataka, but he never learnt from them.”
She said: “He has continued his old habit. Hence, a rowdy sheet must be opened against him. He should be booked under IPC Sections 354,294, 509, 506, 153A, 295, 295A, and 298. Women and the public should be protected.”
Mandya Superintendent of Police N Yatish told South First: “We received the complaint on Wednesday. An FIR has been filed. The investigating officer will decide whether it is necessary to arrest the accused. The probe is underway.”
Meanwhile, netizens demanded the immediate arrest of Prabhakar Bhatt for his hate speech that targeted married Muslim women.
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