The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued notices to Union Minister of State Anantkumar Hegde and Chikkamagaluru MLA CT Ravi in connection with provocative statements made during Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in November 2017.
Justice Budhihal RB issued the notices based on a petition filed by social activist A Alam Pasha.
“The leaders made statements saying things like Tipu Sultan is a ‘looter’, a ‘mass rapist’ and a ‘killer’, which is a constitutional breach since it incites communities. As a citizen, if he says it he becomes a criminal. So why is it that he is allowed to say these things as a minister?” asked Alam Pasha in his petition.
Both Anantkumar and Ravi are Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and they were vehemently against the state government's decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti in November 2017.
The petitioner had earlier submitted a complaint against the two BJP leaders at the Indiranagar police station, but the police refused to accept it. “They simply neglected my complaint. I asked the ACP and the DCP as well, but they also did not act on the complaint,” said Alam.
He then approached a magistrate court, which quashed the order stating that a prior sanction was required to register a case against them. Pasha, however, approached the High Court then, stating that the magistrate court is yet to allow him to access a copy of the order.
The petition cites an alleged tweet by Anantkumar that read, "Conveyed #Karnataka Govt NOT to invite me to shameful event of glorifying a person known as brutal killer, wretched fanatic & mass rapist.”
It also mentions another tweet by that said: "If the government prints my name on the invitation card, I will attend the function and raise slogans from the dais against Tipu. If Siddaramaiah has the guts, let him stop me."
The petition cites a statement reportedly made by CT Ravi and quoted in a newspaper. "Communal Congress led by arrogant @siddaramaiah is repeatedly insulting Hindus by celebrating Tyrant Tipu Jayanthi despite severe opposition and thrive on anti-Hindu appeasement policies,” it says.
With the issuance of the notice, the High Court has quashed the earlier order passed by the magistrate court.
“The President himself has praised Tipu Sultan on his visit to the state. The statements made by these leaders should not hurt communities as they have taken an oath under the Constitution. This is not a way for the politicians to come to the limelight and fulfil their political motives,” Alam added.