Scribe arrested in Karnataka over speech against Tipu Jayanti

November 13, 2018 21:08

A journalist with a Kannada daily has been arrested in Tumakuru in Karnataka for his alleged inflammatory speech against the recent Tipu Jayanti celebrations, following which the Bharatiya Janata Party condemned the police action and demanded his release.

Santosh Thammaiah employed with the daily, Hosa Digantha, was arrested on Monday night under Indian Penal Code section 295(A) (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings), police said on Tuesday.

The Tipu Jayanti celebrations marking the birth anniversary of the controversial 18th century Mysore kingdom ruler Tipu Sultan were held across the state on November 10 amid protests by the BJP and right-wing organisations.

Calling Tipu a 'religious bigot', the state BJP unit had urged the state government to drop its decision to celebrate the Jayanti.

Thammaiah was arrested from his in-laws' residence in Madhugiri in Tumakuru, Editor of the daily Vinayak Bhat told PTI.

A local newspaper had published a report quoting his speech made at a protest against Tipu Jayanti at Gonikoppal in Kodagu district on November 9, based on which the arrest was made, Bhat claimed.

Condemning the action against the journalist, BJP state general secretary Aravinda Limbavali said it was 'a cowardly act' on the part of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government to arrest a person exercising his democratic right of freedom of speech.

In a statement, he demanded immediate release of Thammaiah and said the BJP would launch a statewide agitation if he was not let off. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Eknath Shinde Rouses Support For Son

With two phases of voting already completed, political parties are busy with filing nominations, addressing roadshows and undertaking hectic campaigns for the constituencies that will vote this month.

RR Vs SRH: Who Bowled The Best Spell? Vote!

Bhuvneshwar's early strikes coupled with good spells from Pat Cummins and Thangarasu Natarjan in the middle overs saw SRH clinch victory against all odds.

Raj Bhavan employee files molestation case against Bengal guv

Senior police officials said they received a complaint and are looking into it.

Intense heat sweeps east, south; more heat wave days likely in May

Intense heat swept through east India and parts of the southern peninsular region on Thursday, testing power grids and prompting the Kerala government to order closure of educational institutions till May 6.

Cummins hails Bhuvi's last-ball heroics

Defending 12 in the final over, Bhuvneshwar trapped Rovman Powell in front of the wicket in the last ball to stop Rajasthan Royal's run chase at 200 for 7 and pull off a heist in the end.