Belthangady: Police in Belthangady have registered two fresh cases against activist Girish Mattannavar over alleged inflammatory social media content linked to the Dharmasthala mass burial case, according to a report published by The Hindu.

The first complaint was filed by K.R. Praveen, who alleged that on August 30 he watched a YouTube video showing Mattannavar alongside Madan Bugadi, identified by him as an officer of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In the video, Praveen claimed, Mattannavar made statements that disturbed public peace and provoked communal tension. He also accused Mattannavar and fellow activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi of bringing supporters and bloggers to Dharmasthala and spreading misinformation online.

Based on this complaint, police booked Mattannavar and Thimarodi under Sections 204, 319(2), and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The second case was lodged on September 1 by Dharmasthala resident D. Rajendra Das, who alleged that Mattannavar appeared in another YouTube video, published on the Janata News channel, where he spoke in a manner described as undignified and disturbing. This complaint led to a case under Section 296 of the BNS.

Both activists are already facing multiple cases registered earlier. On August 6, Belthangady police booked them for allegedly assaulting a Suvarna News reporter and for unlawful assembly outside a private hospital in Ujire. Additionally, Mattannavar has been charged in a separate case for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Jain community.

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Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.

The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.

"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.

The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.

He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.