'Speak Without Venom': Karnataka High Court Tells Activist Dr Prabhakar Bhat Over Alleged Comments On Muslim Women

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday [June 2] told Dr. Prabhakar Bhat Kalladka, an 83-year-old right wing activist accused of spreading communal enmity by allegedly deriding Muslim women giving birth to multiple children, to 'exercise restraint' in his further speeches.

The single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna was hearing Prabhakar's petition seeking the quashing of the FIR lodged against him over a speech delivered in October 2025 at Uppalige in the Puttur Thaluk for a Deepotsava program.

When the matter was called, the complainant Ishwari Padmunja [Karnataka State Dalita Hakkugala Rajya Samiti member], submitted that the petitioner 'gets off in the morning and just spews venom after seizing the mike', and that he has spoken against Muslims repeatedly in many instances. A direction was sought to restrain the petitioner from making such statements in the future.

At this juncture, the Court advised the petitioner to exercise restraint, observing the following:

"Without venom, you speak…Why give rise to complaints after complaints? However, the matter we will answer legally."

As per the complainant, the accused had allegedly compared the birth rates in Muslim Community with that of the Hindu community and went on to remark that the Hindu population should be increased for the 'Lord Mahalingeshwara'. According to the complainant's version, Dr Prabhakar also referred to the lesser number of Hindu Population in Ullal Assembly constituency and urged the crowd to have atleast 'three children in every Hindu Household'.

The complaint has alleged that these statements insulted the dignity of women from both communities, promoted religious enmity, and disturbed public peace.

Later, a case was registered against the Kalladka activist at Puttur Rural Police Station for alleged offences punishable under Section 3(5), 79, 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

"Tag along with connected petitions and take it on 16th June”, the court ordered.

When the complainant sought for an interim direction not to continue the petitioner activist's alleged hate speeches, the court said that the accused has already undertaken that he won't repeat it.

Earlier, in the same FIR quashing plea, the High Court had received the entire transcript of the contentious speech and ordered that no coercive action should be taken against the petitioner-activist, which was extended periodically till this date.

Senior Adv. Aruna Shyam appeared for the petitioner. Adv. Balakrishna appeared for the Respondent No. 2 (complainant).

Case Title: Dr. Prabhakar Bhat v. State of Karnataka & Anr.

Case No.: CRL.P No.156/2026