Tipu Jayanti row: Charges framed against journalist, RSS leader for hurting religious sentiments

Kodagu: Police in Karnataka's Kodagu have arrested five people, including a journalist and RSS leader, and registered cases against them under section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for abuse on the grounds of religion. During a public event on November 5 in Kodagu, a group of people was protesting against Tipu Jayanti celebrations, when journalist Santosh Thammaiah, RSS leader Sudhakar Hosahalli and others are known to have accused Tipu of orchestrating a massacre in Kodagu. 

Following a complaint filed by Sidapur Oscar at the Gonikoppal police station against Santosh, Sudhakar, Robert Rozario, Rangakarmi Kariyappa and Bacharniyanda Appanna, police arrested Santhosh. 

Cases were registered on charges of deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of a community. BJP leaders CT Ravi and Member of Parliament Pratap Simha have lashed out at the state government for arresting Santhosh.