FIR against Kannada writer KS Bhagawan for 'speaking ill about Hindu Gods'

MANGALURU: An FIR has been registered against rationalist free-thinker and Kannada writer K S Bhagawan, who is facing the wrath of fringe rightwing oufits and threats to his life, for allegedly “outraging“ religious feelings.

Police said the FIR was filed at a police station in Dakshina Kannada district based on a complaint against the writer whose utterances on Hinduism and Hindu gods have come under vicious attacks from fringe rightwing outfits, prompting police to provide security to the Mysuru-based writer.

Sections 295 (A) and 153 (B) of IPC have been invoked against Bhagawan, they said. While 295 A relates to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, section 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration). “Wonderful....I'm ready to face, let the law take its own course,“ Bhagawan told PTI reacting to the FIR.

He said that “In the name of religion, the reactionary elements have wounded our feelings; they feel the suppressed sections of the society don't have feelings because they are mostly mute.“ In his complaint, Shyama Sudarshan Bhat, a resident of Hosamoole in Belthangady in the district, alleged Bhagwan as also some other writers had made derogatory references to Hinduism and Hindu Gods at a function held in Bengaluru on September 19, hurting the religious sentiments of the people.

He alleged they had spoken ill against the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and also Hindu Gods and made disparaging remarks about Lord Rama and even said those who read the Bhagavad Gita will become terrorists.

The remarks had hurt Hindu sentiments and were against the law and a punishable offence, the complainant said. Home Minister K J George, during a visit to the city on September 8, had said it had not come to his notice that Bhagwan had made any derogatory statement against Hinduism.

If a complaint came up, police would register an FIR, he had said.

Several hate messages had appeared in the social media against Bhagwan of late for his controversial remarks.

Seventy-year old Bhagwan, a retired English professor in Mysuru, is a recipient of many awards including the Karnataka Rajyotsava award.