Chikkamagaluru, 25 July (H.S.): A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against BJP MLC C.T. Ravi at the Chikkamagaluru Town Police Station following allegations that he made inflammatory and derogatory remarks targeting the Muslim community during a BJP protest over the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET examination.
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Mudassir Pasha, 36, president of Jamia Masjid, Chikkamagaluru. According to the complaint, the alleged remarks were made by Ravi while addressing a BJP demonstration at Azad Park on July 23. The protest was organised in response to nationwide demonstrations over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Police have booked Ravi under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relates to making, publishing or circulating statements or reports intended to promote hatred, ill-will or enmity between different groups on grounds such as religion, race, caste, language or community, or acts likely to disturb public tranquillity. The matter is currently under investigation.
In his complaint, Mudassir Pasha alleged that Ravi questioned the connection between 'Mullahs' and the NEET issue while referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the NEET examination. The complaint further alleged that Ravi described Muslims as a 'tukde gang' and made statements that were derogatory towards the community.
The complainant also stated that videos of the speech were widely circulated on social media, alleging that the remarks were intended to promote communal hatred, disturb social harmony and provoke hostility between religious groups.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkuta condemned the alleged remarks in a statement issued on Friday, describing them as 'highly provocative' and demanding Ravi's immediate arrest. The organisation accused the BJP leader of attempting to inflame communal tensions and divert attention from the nationwide protests over the NEET controversy. Police said further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
