Controversy erupts as former BJP MP Pratap Simha's post supports cow vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli
Mysuru: Former BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu, Pratap Simha, is facing severe criticism on social media for his controversial post on his personal 'X' account (formerly Twitter) in support of self-declared cow vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli. Kerehalli was recently arrested for spreading false news that dog meat was being transported to Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru.
In his post on Tuesday, July 30, Simha claimed that Kerehalli was forced by the police to strip and was insulted while in custody. He announced his intention to visit the prison on Wednesday and ordered ACP Chandan to be present during his visit.
Social media users quickly responded, questioning the propriety of Simha’s threat to a police officer. Many users asserted that the people of Karnataka would not be intimidated by such threats and emphasized the duty of Kannadigas to protect diligent officers.
The controversy stems from an incident on Friday at Bengaluru's prime railway station, also known as 'Majestic', where Kerehalli and his supporters caused a commotion. They claimed that 150 cartons carrying three tonnes of meat from Jaipur contained dog meat. However, on Saturday, the Karnataka Food Safety and Standards department refuted Kerehalli's allegations, confirming that the meat samples had been tested and found to be that of sheep.
The incident has sparked significant debate about the actions of cow vigilantes and the role of public figures in supporting or condemning such actions.
ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ನಿರತ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗೆ ಬೆದರಿಕೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಸರಿಯೇ @mepratap
— Bhavya Narasimhamurthy (@Bhavyanmurthy) July 31, 2024
ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬೆದರಿಕೆಗೆಲ್ಲ ಜಗ್ಗುವವರಲ್ಲ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ . ಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಧರ್ಮ. ನಾವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಅವರೊಂದಿಗಿದ್ದೇವೆ. @DrParameshwara ಸರ್ ಮಾಜಿ ಸಂಸದರಾಗಿ ಬೆದರಿಕೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿರುವ ಇವರಿಗೆ ಬುದ್ದಿಕಲಿಸಿ pic.twitter.com/a2oQEVdhNM
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Man publicly assaulted, called ‘Pakistani’, dies by suicide; Journalist accused, police launch hunt
Latur: A 30-year-old man in Maharashtra's Latur allegedly died by suicide after being publicly assaulted and called a “Pakistani” during a road rage incident. The accused, reportedly a local journalist, is currently absconding.
According to the FIR registered by MIDC Latur Police Station, the incident occurred on the night of May 3. The victim, Amir Pathan, was allegedly attacked by the motorist, who identified himself as a journalist and questioned whether Pathan was from Kashmir or Pakistan. The assault was reportedly filmed by the assailant, who threatened to circulate the footage on social media.
Pathan’s wife, Samrin, who works as a deputy manager in a private bank in Dharashiv, said she was on a phone call with her husband when the incident occurred near Sanvidhan Chowk. She overheard the confrontation and heard her husband pleading and screaming in pain. Rushing to the spot, she noted the registration number of the assailant’s car — MH24 BR 7008 — but the accused had fled the scene by the time she arrived.
In her statement, Samrin said that the threat of public humiliation left her husband deeply traumatised. “He said he was an Indian, but the accused insulted him, calling him a Pakistani. He feared the video would be made public,” she recounted. The next day, Pathan was reportedly seen repeatedly checking the internet to see if the video had surfaced.
On May 4, while the family was preparing to attend a wedding, Pathan stayed back. When his family returned home, they found him hanging by a dupatta. He was rushed to a private hospital and later referred to the government hospital, where he was declared dead.
Based on Samrin’s complaint, police registered a case of abetment to suicide on May 5. However, the FIR has so far listed the accused as an "unknown person." Samrin’s father, Attaullah Pathan, expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “We gave the police the car number and name, but they still booked an unknown person.”
“There was no suicide note,” confirmed Latur SP Somay Munde. “We have registered a suicide abetment case based on the wife’s statement. Investigations are ongoing and efforts are being made to trace the accused.”
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