'Youngsters May Cultivate Hatred': Karnataka Govt Opposes Quashing Of Hate Speech FIR Against RSS Leader

The Karnataka government told the High Court on Thursday (February 05) that the speech delivered by RSS Leader Prabhakar Bhat in a college in Puttur last month, shows that he is trying to create hatred between communities wherein youngsters may cultivate feeling of hatred against a community.

For context, Bhat has moved the high court seeking quashing of an FIR over registered at Puttur town for offences under BNS Sections 196(Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) ,299(Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 302(Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person), 353(2)(Statements conducing to public mischief), 3(5)(Common Intention).

The counsel appearing for the State submitted before Justice M Nagaprasanna, "The words that have been used, that have been published on YouTube channel clearly incites and instigates. Many of the cases registered against him have been quashed, that is the only reason he is repeating the offence again and again. The speech he is going to deliver it should be with some limitations. It doesn't mean he can say whatever he wants...The way in which he has delivered speech which clearly shows he is trying to create hatred in between different communities...He is completely destroying peace and harmony of the society. Because of this kind of speeches youngsters may cultivate a habit, may cultivate spirit of hatred against another community which should not be permissible".

She also submitted that Bhat had in many matters, wherein he was booked, violated the bail conditions.

"This is the 13th case in which he is involved...He should not deliver this kind of speeches. He should motivate youngsters to cultivate habit of brotherhood. He should encourage youngsters. Speech delivered was before assembly of students...," the counsel added.

Meanwhile the senior counsel appearing for Bhat said that the State had "selectively chosen certain lines of the speech", and if entire speech is read then no offence as alleged was made out. He added that no untoward incident had happened after the speech in question.

After hearing the matters for some time the court orally said, "we will pass orders tomorrow".

The matter is listed on February 06 (today).

Last month the court had in an interim order had directed the State not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner.

Case title: DR. PRABHAKAR BHAT v/s THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ANOTHER

CRL.P 941/2026