Communal hate speech case: Interim relief for BJP MLA Harish Poonja
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to BJP MLA Harish Poonja in connection with a communal hate speech case registered at Uppinangady Police Station.
Poonja, the MLA from Beltangady, had filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR filed against him. During the hearing, his counsel argued that the FIR sections invoked did not apply to the alleged incident. They contended that Poonja had not made any remarks that incited hatred between communities.
The government counsel informed the court that a charge sheet would be submitted and sought dismissal of the petition.
Advocate S. Balan, appearing for the complainant Ibrahim, opposed the plea stating that the petition was not amended and hence should not be accepted. He said Poonja had made derogatory remarks against the Muslim community by calling them "descendants of butchers," which was both unnecessary and offensive. Balan also pointed out that there was video evidence of the statement.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court bench granted an interim stay on the FIR proceedings.
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Dragging Gaurav's family, children into 'Pak link' allegation by Assam CM wrong politics: Priyanka
Guwahati (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over alleged Pakistan links, asserting that dragging his family and children into it is "wrong politics".
After paying homage to Zubeen Garg at his cremation ground 'Zubeen Khetra' at Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Vadra said the singer was "above politics" and spread the message of love throughout his life.
"There are two types of leaders in politics -- one who does positive politics and the other who does polarisation. Gaurav Gogoi is doing the politics of love," she said when asked about Sarma's repeated attacks on the Assam Congress chief over alleged Pakistan links.
Vadra asserted that Gogoi is "a positive person, and wants to bring positivity in politics".
"That is why such attacks on him are taking place. People of Assam understand this. But the attacks on Gaurav and his family are the wrong politics. Nobody should attack the family and children (of a political leader)," Vadra said.
Instead of such politics, the Assam CM should "talk about the youth and women of the state, who are looking for jobs", the Wayanad MP said.
"You are seeing how much corruption is taking place. It is just a betrayal of the people of the state," she told reporters.
Talking about her visit to 'Zubeen Khetra' in the morning, Vadra said that she went to the cremation ground to pay her respect to the singer and not do any politics over it.
"Zubeen Garg was above politics. His cremation ground should be a sacred place and should not be used for politics," she added.
VIDEO | Guwahati: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) says, "When we contest elections and talk about leadership in politics, there are two kinds of leaders. One is a positive leader — someone with a positive mindset. Such leaders tell you what they want to do for… pic.twitter.com/52z4HwRitg
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 20, 2026
