Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja's hate speech video goes viral
Belthangady: A video of Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja delivering a hate speech against Muslims during a religious event has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. The speech was made from the stage of the Brahmakalashotsava ceremony at the Thekkaru Sri Gopalakrishna Temple on Saturday night.
In the video, the MLA can be heard accusing the local Muslim community of vandalism and theft. He alleged that "country Bearys of Thekkaru" broke tube lights installed for the temple event and stole diesel. His remarks have been widely condemned as inflammatory and communal in nature.
"You (Hindus) are only 150 families in Thekkaru. The Muslim community has 1,200 families. In another ten years, their numbers won’t drop to 600. Instead, the number of Bearys will grow from 5,000 to 10,000. Regardless of their numbers, we must unite, rise above caste differences, and work towards the development of the temple," he said.
MLA Poonja also made unsubstantiated claims that the Muslim community is divided into 70 to 74 castes and questioned why invitations for the Brahmakalashotsava were extended to local mosques.
"Why did Thekkaru villagers send temple invitations to mosques? There is no connection between them and us. It is because of these invitations that they broke the tube lights," he alleged.
Contrary to his remarks, local Muslims had participated in the spirit of harmony by putting up congratulatory banners for the temple celebration after receiving invitations.
The speech has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many accusing the MLA of attempting to incite communal disharmony at a sensitive time.
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NEET UG paper leak: CBI arrests Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) founder in Latur
New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar who runs the Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Maharashtra's Latur city in the NEET UG paper leak case, officials said on Monday.
A leaked question paper for the medical entrance exam was found on Motengaonkar' phone mobile during searches conducted by the agency on Sunday. He was arrested after that.
The CBI has alleged that Motegaonkar was an active member of the organised gang involved in the leakage and circulation of the NEET UG paper, the officials said.
Motegaonkar in conspiracy with other accused received the question paper and answers of NEET UG Exam, 2026 ahead of April 23, 2026 exam, they said. He allegedly circulated the paper to several persons.
