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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'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
