Atmananda Saraswati Swamiji booked for hate speech calling for killing of Muslims, Christians
Bengaluru, June 16: The Subramanyapura Police in Bengaluru have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Atmananda Saraswati Swamiji of the Samartha Sridharashrama Trust after a viral video surfaced on social media showing him delivering an hate speech calling for violence against Muslims and Christians.
The FIR has been registered suo motu by the police under sections 196(1) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on Sunday, June 16.
The controversial video, which first appeared on Saturday, June 15, triggered massive outrage across Karnataka and beyond. In the video, Swamiji can be heard saying, "Only Sanatana Dharma is the true religion in this country. All others are just groups. Muslims and Christians must be eliminated using modern weapons."
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He further added, "There is no wrong in killing thousands if they go against Sanatana Dharma. Our earlier leaders made a mistake by sparing them out of mercy. Now this must stop. Hindus must rise like Shivaji and cleanse the nation of such elements."
The speech was reportedly delivered during a religious gathering at his residence at Flat No. 202, Siriram Paradise Apartment, Purnapragna Nagar, AGS Layout, Uttarahalli, Bengaluru.
Police officials said that the FIR was filed after verifying the authenticity of the video and the gravity of its content. Head Constable Vinay Kumar A.B. (HC-9784) of Subramanyapura Police Station submitted the formal report, citing that the statements made by the Swamiji had the potential to incite violence, disturb public peace, and promote enmity between religious communities.
The FIR clearly states that the speech amounts to promoting hatred, calling for communal violence, and encouraging a targeted attack on minority communities.
The registration of the FIR has come after widespread pressure from the public and digital platforms where the video continues to circulate. Many have called on the government and law enforcement agencies to take stronger action against individuals misusing religious platforms to spread hate and provoke violence.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
