Pratap Simha booked over speech at Ganesha procession in T. Narasipur
Former MP Pratap Simha has been booked by T. Narasipur Town police over an alleged provocative speech during a Ganesha procession on September 18.
Former MP Pratap Simha has been booked by the T. Narasipur Town police in connection with an alleged provocative speech delivered during a Ganesha procession in T. Narasipur town on September 18.
The case against Mr. Simha has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions relating to disturbing public peace, promoting enmity between different groups, and insulting religious sentiments.
According to the police complaint, the Ganesha idol procession was passing in front of a mosque on Link Road in T. Narasipur at around 9 p.m. on September 18 when Mr. Simha addressed the gathering from atop a vehicle fitted with a sound system and a DJ. He is also alleged to have made remarks directed at T. Narasipur Town police inspector Dhananjaya in a challenging manner.
The former MP and his associates are accused of raising derogatory and provocative slogans. The complaint stated that by creating an atmosphere conducive to hatred and hostility between different religions and castes, they disturbed law and order.
Mr. Simha and his associates have been booked under Sections 132, 191, 194, 196(1)(a)(b), 299 and 353(1)(b)(c), read with Section 190 of the BNS.
The procession on September 18 came in the wake of a protest staged by the BJP earlier this month against a reported warning by Mr. Dhananjaya to youths taking out Ganesha processions against bursting crackers while passing in front of the mosque.
Reacting to the registration of the FIR, Mr. Simha accused inspector Dhananjaya of having provoked Hindu sentiments in the first place. He said the police inspector should have been booked for provocation instead of him, and that the officer should have been transferred and action taken against him.
The former MP claimed that the police had booked him after coming under pressure from Home Minister Priyank Kharge. He said he already has 21 FIRs registered against him and would go to court to face the present case as well.