TMC, political analyst file complaint against Pragya Thakur for "hate speech"
Bengaluru(PTI): The Trinamool Congress and a political analyst have filed complaints against firebrand BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur for allegedly making "hate speech" in Shivamogga recently while attending a convention organised by a pro-Hindu outfit.
TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale and Tehseen Poonawalla, whose Twitter bio described him as a Venture Capitalist and political analyst and consultant, filed the plaints against Thakur with Shivamogga MP GK Mithun Kumar, the two said in separate tweets.
"Filed a complaint this morning with Karnataka Police & SP, Shivamogga regarding the communal hate speech made by BJP MP Pragya Thakur on Sun 25th December," Gokahle wrote on the microblogging site.
He wanted the police to file an FIR "immediately."
In his complaint, Gokhale alleged Thakur's comments made at the event on Sunday "were designed" to incite communal disturbance between different religious communities and create ill-will between different communities on grounds of religion.
Poonawalla, in his complaint, accused Thakur of making "a highly blasphemous and derogatory speech against the minority community" at the convention.
He said the Shivamogga SP had assured him of action. "His office later called me up and confirmed receiving my complaint on the official handle!," he tweeted.
BJP Member of Parliament from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Thakur had said Hindus have the right to respond to those who attack them and their dignity, even as she spoke about the killing of Hindu activists.
At the Shivamogga event, she also called on the community to at least keep the knives in their homes sharp, as everyone has the right to protect themselves.
Shivamogga SP Mithun Kumar said no FIR has been registered against Thakur so far.
Speaking to PTI, he said, "We have received complaints from Gokhale and Tehseen Poonawalla through mail, we have asked to appear before the jurisdictional police officer. First thing we have to verify the authenticity of the mail and the person sending it."
Further citing court judgement, he said, "to do an inquiry or to get it (case) registered the appearance is quite essential. So we have communicated the same through mail. Based on the complaint and statement given during the appearance, we will be taking legal action as per that."
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
