Journalist arrested for provocative speech

Kodagu: The Gonikoppa police, on Monday night arrested a journalist for derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed while opposing the government-organised Tipu Jayanthi celebrations.

The arrested, Santhosh Thammaiah works as an editor at Hosadigantha(Jnanabharathi Prakashana).

Reportedly Santhosh had delivered a defamatory speech against Prophet Mohammed at the ‘Tipu KaraalaDinagalu’ programme held at Freedom Fighters Hall in Gonikoppa on November 5.

In his speech, Santhosh had alleged that the intolerant creed preached by the Prophet had given birth to terrorists like Tipu Sultan, and claimed that the Mysuru ruler was the first terrorist of the nation.

A case had been registered against Santhosh and three others in this regard. Acting on the complaint the police arrested Santhosh from a village in Madhugiri taluk here on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Hindutva organisations have planned for a protest demanding the release of the arrested journalist.

 Condemning the arrest BJP general secretary and Chikkamagaluru MLA CT Ravi in a tweet said: “Santhosh Thammaiah who spoke about the brutalities against Hindus by Tyrant Tipu Sultan has been arrested by the communal government in Karnataka. Bhagvan & Psudeo intellectuals like him who have consistently abused Hindu gods are roaming free.”

Other BJP leaders namely MP Pratap Simha and Arvind Limbavali too condemned the arrest on Twitter. A campaign #IamwithSanthosh has been trending on social media platforms following the scribe’s arrest.

Sensing the tense situation in the area the police have deployed additional troops to maintain law and order.