Yesterday, Kannada actor Chetan Kumar was arrested for allegedly hurting the Religious sentiments over his viral tweet. In his tweet, he said Hindutva was built on lies.  

Bajrang Dal lodged a complaint and charged him charged under IPC sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 505 (2) (whoever circulates any material that could incite any class of persons).

The actor was arrested by Sheshadripuram Police from his home and later produced before a city court that remanded him to a 14-day judicial custody.  

If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail, with or without a fine. Kumar’s counsel has filed a bail plea, which is likely to be heard on Thursday as Wednesday is a holiday in view of Ugadi.

The actor, on Monday, tweeted: “Hindutva is built on LIES Savarkar: Indian ‘nation’ began when Rama defeated Ravana & returned to Ayodhya —> a lie 1992: Babri Masjid is ‘birthplace of Rama’ —> a lie 2023: Urigowda-Nanjegowda are ‘killers’ of Tipu—> a lie Hindutva can be defeated by TRUTH—> truth is EQUALITY” Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda are two fictional characters who are being projected by the BJP as the “real killers” of Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysore.

While historic records show that Tipu died fighting the British at his fort in Srirangapatna near Mysore on May 4, 1799, during the fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the promoters of these two characters claim they had killed the king of Mysore.

Additional Metropolitan Magistrate J Latha heard Chetan's bail application.

The next date of hearing is on March 23, 2023.