City police have registered an FIR against Mysuru-based writer K.S. Bhagavan for “outraging religious feelings”.
This is after Girish Bharadwaj, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader from the city, lodged a complaint with the Cubbon Park police on Friday over Mr. Bhagavan’s remarks on Lord Rama in his recently released book ‘Rama Mandira – Eke Beda?’.
The Cubbon Park police have registered a case against him under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code for “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”. If convicted under the section, he could be punished with imprisonment of a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. Meanwhile, N. Ravikumar, MLC and general secretary, BJP, also lodged a complaint against Mr. Bhagavan, with Neelmani N. Raju, DG&IGP. In Mysuru, a group of youths held a protest in front of Mr. Bhagavan’s house.