The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday advised right-wing activist Dr. Prabhakar Bhat Kalladka to “exercise restraint” in his future speeches while hearing a petition seeking the quashing of an FIR filed against him over an allegedly communal speech.
The case was heard by Justice M Nagaprasanna, who orally remarked, “Without venom, you speak… Why give rise to complaints after complaints? However, the matter we will answer legally.”
The court was hearing a plea filed by the 83-year-old activist challenging an FIR registered against him for a speech delivered during a Deepotsava programme in Uppalige village of Puttur taluk in October 2025.
Complaint Alleges Repeated Hate Speech
During the hearing, the complainant, Ishwari Padmunja, a member of the Karnataka State Dalita Hakkugala Rajya Samiti, alleged that Kalladka had repeatedly made inflammatory remarks targeting Muslims.
“He gets off in the morning and just spews venom after seizing the mike,” the complainant reportedly submitted before the court, seeking directions to prevent such speeches in the future.
The complainant argued that the activist had repeatedly spoken against Muslims and requested the court to restrain him from making similar remarks.
What Were the Alleged Remarks?
According to the complaint, Dr. Kalladka allegedly compared birth rates in the Muslim and Hindu communities and urged Hindus to increase their population.
The complaint claimed that he referred to Muslim women giving birth to multiple children and urged Hindu families to have “at least three children” in every household for “Lord Mahalingeshwara.”
It was further alleged that he referred to the lower Hindu population in the Ullal Assembly constituency and made remarks that promoted religious division.
FIR Registered Under BNS Sections
The complaint alleged that the statements insulted the dignity of women, promoted communal enmity, and disturbed public peace.
Following the complaint, the Puttur Rural Police registered a case against Kalladka under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to promoting enmity and public disturbance.
Court Says Matter Will Be Examined Legally
When the complainant requested an interim direction to stop Kalladka from allegedly making hate speeches, the court observed that the activist had already assured that he would not repeat such remarks.
The High Court has earlier protected Kalladka from coercive action while hearing his petition and had directed authorities to submit the transcript of the speech.
The matter has now been tagged with connected petitions and listed for hearing on June 16.
