Another FIR against Pratap Simha; DSS seeks his arrest

Another FIR has been registered against former MP Pratap Simha, who was recently booked for delivering an inflammatory speech during the Ganesha idol immersion procession in T. Narsipur town on Friday.

The second FIR registered under Section 352 and 356 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under different Sections of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 on Tuesday is based on a complaint by Madhu K.T. of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kshemabhrivruddhi Kreedaa Kala Sangha, Kaiyamballi village of T. Narsipur.

The former MP is accused of insulting the Dalit community through his allegedly derogatory remarks during the Ganesh idol immersion procession or the Shobha Yatra on September 18.

Meanwhile, the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) held a demonstration in front of Ambedkar statue in Town Hall premises on Wednesday demanding the arrest of Mr. Pratap Simha for his allegedly derogatory remarks against the “blue shawl”, a symbol of Dalit equality.

The protesters, who raised slogans against the former MP, also demanded a high-level investigation into all the cases registered against him.

Addressing the protesters, DSS district convener Choranahalli Shivanna condemned Mr. Simha’s alleged provocative speech in front of a mosque in T. Narasipur during a Ganeshotsav programme, his alleged derogatory remarks against a police officer and his comments on the “blue shawl”.

“Mr. Simha should be arrested immediately. Otherwise, we will be forced to launch an intense agitation,” Mr. Shivanna warned while expressing disappointment over the police department’s reluctance to arrest him even after registering a case based on evidence from CCTV footage, drones and social media videos.

Reaction

However, Mr. Pratap Simha denied that he was anti-Dalit and added that it was the T. Narsipur police inspector, who had made a provocative statement.

Questioning FIR registered against him under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, the former MP claimed he had not made any remarks against any caste. 

He said he will seek justice from the court against the FIRs registered against him.