We won’t arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat in hate speech case: Karnataka govt’s lawyer tells HC
Bengaluru: During the hearing of a petition seeking the quashing of the case against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for making derogatory remarks about Muslim women, the government's lawyer informed the High Court on Thursday that there is no intention to arrest Prabhakar Bhatt.
The case against Bhat was registered following his controversial comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, particularly applauding the criminalization of triple talaq. Bhat claimed that Muslim women were granted "permanent husbands" through this legal intervention.
In response to the petition filed in the High Court seeking the quashing of the case, Bhat's counsel argued that it was a politically motivated complaint and cited the accused's age and health condition. The counsel requested the court to stay the FIR, expressing concerns that Bhatt might be arrested.
S. Balan, the advocate for the complainant, objected to the stay, highlighting the impact of Bhat's statements on society and the ongoing protests. Balan suggested filing sedition charges, including UAPA, against Bhat, characterizing him as a potential instigator of communal riots.
The government's lawyer clarified during the hearing, "We do not intend to arrest Prabhakar Bhat in this case," and requested the court to schedule the next date for the trial. The trial judge, taking note of the government's stance, stated, "There is no need to discuss the stay on the case if the government does not intend to arrest Bhat." The hearing was adjourned to January 9, 2024.
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No confusion in BJP-JD(S) alliance: Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday dismissed speculation over confusion in the BJP-JD(S) alliance, asserting that there was clarity within them and that discussions on the chief minister post were premature.
Addressing reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after chairing a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, he said the immediate priority was to remove what he termed an "anti-people government" in the state and to strengthen the alliance to face upcoming polls.
"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said, underlining that leadership questions would be taken up at an appropriate time.
The JD(S) second-in-command said there is still a lot of work to be done and it was not appropriate to speak about such matters now.
"On the issue of alliance, both I and our party are open-minded. When the time comes, we will discuss it on the party platform and take a decision. There is no confusion regarding the alliance, and there will be no confusion in the future. This is my stand," Kumaraswamy said.
"There is a bad government in the state. My objective is to remove it and bring in a pro-people government. Removing this corrupt and bad government is my agenda. The JD(S) and BJP parties will work together to accomplish this task," he added.
Reiterating his stand, Kumaraswamy said, "My objective is to remove the anti-people government in the state. I have been saying this from the beginning."
On reports of internal differences over the alliance and the CM's position, the union minister said he would not respond to every statement made by individuals.
"Some people are speaking about the alliance and the chief minister's position. I do not feel the need to respond to them. If I start answering each of them, people may think I lack maturity. Therefore, I will not speak about it. We will strengthen the alliance together, face the elections together, and bring a pro-people government," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that discussions within parties were natural and not final.
He said there were still two years left for the Assembly elections while there were four to five months left for the local body elections.
The union minister said the JD(S) is also preparing for the municipal elections in Bengaluru city just as other parties.
He clarified that there had been no discussions so far between the two parties specifically on local body or GBA elections.
Earlier, the JD(S) leader chaired a meeting with Members of the Legislative Council, former MLAs and other leaders of his party to review preparations for the GBA elections.
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