MYSURU: T. Narasipura police have booked former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha and several others over alleged provocative remarks made during a Ganesh idol procession in the town, taking the festivity-related dispute involving a police inspector and organisers to another phase.
Police have registered a suo motu case under Sections 132, 191, 194, 196(1)(a)(b), 299, 353(1)(b)(c) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The sections invoked relate to allegations including obstruction of public servants, unlawful assembly-related offences, conduct affecting public order, promoting enmity between groups, insulting religious beliefs and other alleged acts connected with the procession. The allegations in the FIR are yet to be established.
The case follows a controversy that began in T. Narasipura over the installation and procession of a Ganesh idol. Police Inspector Dhananjay reportedly warned organisers about the procession route and the bursting of firecrackers near a mosque. The remarks triggered protests by BJP leaders and Hindu organisations, who demanded action against the officer. Police, however, maintained that the instructions aimed to prevent disturbance and maintain law and order.
The dispute subsequently turned into a political confrontation. BJP leaders, including Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and Pratap Simha, had earlier participated in protests over the issue. Police detained the leaders during one such protest and later released them.
Against this backdrop, T. Narasipura held a Ganesh Shobha Yatra on September 18. Simha participated in the procession and addressed supporters near a mosque. During his speech, he criticised Inspector Dhananjay and referred to the officer’s earlier remarks regarding the procession.
“Hey Dhananjay, you said that if the procession went in front of the mosque, something would happen, didn’t you? Come here, Dhananjay, come and see,” Simha reportedly said while addressing the gathering.
He also used strong language against the inspector and allegedly called him “Ayogya Dhananjay”. Simha questioned how the police officer had dealt with the public and warned that the issue would not be forgotten. The remarks were subsequently cited in complaints seeking action against him.
Mysuru district Congress leaders also complained to the police against Simha and others, alleging that the speech during the procession was provocative. Following the complaints and the events during the procession, T. Narasipura police registered the suo motu FIR.
Simha, however, has rejected the allegation that he provoked the situation. Responding to the FIR, he claimed that the police inspector had himself provoked the controversy.
“Provocation was given by the inspector. An FIR should have been registered against him and he should have been transferred and action should have been taken,” Simha said.
He maintained that he had only referred to the inspector’s earlier statements while addressing the gathering. “We responded to the provocation given by Dhananjay. I referred to the words he had spoken near the mosque and called him to come and see,” he said.
Simha also said he respected the police but blamed the controversy on the inspector’s conduct. “I have immense respect for the police. All this happened in T. Narasipura because of a troublesome inspector,” he alleged.
He further alleged that the FIR against him was registered under pressure from the Home Minister and said he would challenge the case legally. “I will approach the court against the FIR. I have faith that I will get justice,” Simha said, while also describing himself as a journalist rather than someone who had entered politics solely on the strength of his family background.
Opposition Leader R. Ashoka also came out in support of Simha and criticised the FIR. Referring to the number of cases allegedly pending against the former MP, Ashoka said, “Pratap Simha has 25 cases. This is just one more case. He will not be scared by this.”
Ashoka added, “We will neither bow down nor retreat. We will fight against a government that has no direction.”
Meanwhile, Yaduveer Wadiyar struck a more legally focused note while commenting on the case. He said the matter should be dealt with through legal procedures.
“Whatever action has to be taken legally has been taken. We also have to face it legally,” Yaduveer said. He added that he had not watched Simha’s speech and therefore could not comment on its contents. Yaduveer also clarified that Simha’s remarks should not automatically be treated as the party’s position.
