We won’t arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat in hate speech case: Karnataka govt’s lawyer tells HC
Bengaluru: During the hearing of a petition seeking the quashing of the case against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for making derogatory remarks about Muslim women, the government's lawyer informed the High Court on Thursday that there is no intention to arrest Prabhakar Bhatt.
The case against Bhat was registered following his controversial comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, particularly applauding the criminalization of triple talaq. Bhat claimed that Muslim women were granted "permanent husbands" through this legal intervention.
In response to the petition filed in the High Court seeking the quashing of the case, Bhat's counsel argued that it was a politically motivated complaint and cited the accused's age and health condition. The counsel requested the court to stay the FIR, expressing concerns that Bhatt might be arrested.
S. Balan, the advocate for the complainant, objected to the stay, highlighting the impact of Bhat's statements on society and the ongoing protests. Balan suggested filing sedition charges, including UAPA, against Bhat, characterizing him as a potential instigator of communal riots.
The government's lawyer clarified during the hearing, "We do not intend to arrest Prabhakar Bhat in this case," and requested the court to schedule the next date for the trial. The trial judge, taking note of the government's stance, stated, "There is no need to discuss the stay on the case if the government does not intend to arrest Bhat." The hearing was adjourned to January 9, 2024.
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Hijab decision taken out of fear of Karnataka Muslim convention, alleges Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Karnataka government announced its decision on the hijab issue out of fear of the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on May 16 organized by Federation of Karnataka Muslim Organisations.
Addressing a press conference at the JD(S) state office, GP Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Thursday, Kumaraswamy said he respects all religions and has expressed his views on the issue on several public platforms in the past.
Questioning the timing of the government’s move, he said the Congress has been in power for three years and had taken no decision on the hijab issue during that period.
He alleged that the decision was taken only because the ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ is scheduled to be held at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16.
“If the government had the courage, it should have taken this decision immediately after coming to power. Why did it remain silent for three years?” he asked.
Kumaraswamy accused the Congress of making the announcement to appease a particular community.
He further said the matter is still pending before the courts and claimed that an interim order relating to the hijab issue remains in force.
According to him, issuing such an order before the legal proceedings are concluded amounts to disrespect towards the judiciary.
Kumaraswamy also alleged that the Congress brought the issue back into focus after the Davanagere by-election results.
