Kannada actor Chetan Kumar arrested over Hindutva tweet

• Image Credit: Google

• Mar 21, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The complaint against him claimed that his tweet, which says "Hindutva is built on lies," hurt the sentiments of the Hindus...

Digital Desk: Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, popularly known as Chetan Ahimsa, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody by Bengaluru police after his tweet on Hindutva went viral. The complaint against him claimed that his tweet, which says "Hindutva is built on lies," hurt the sentiments of the Hindus. He was arrested in Bengaluru by the Sheshadripuram police. The actor, who is also a Dalit and tribal activist, has been produced at a district court and was sent to 14-day judicial custody. His lawyers have now filed a bail plea.

Chetan Kumar sent to 14-day judicial custody

Bengaluru police arrested actor Chetan Kumar alias Chetan Ahimsa after his tweet on Hindutva went viral. The actor is accused of "insulting a religion or religious beliefs and making statements that promote enmity between classes".

Kumar stated in a tweet on March 20 that Hindustva is based on lies. He tweeted, "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." He added that Hindutva can only be defeated by the truth.

Pro-Hindu organizations lodged a complaint against him and an FIR was registered at the Sheshadripuram police station hours after he posted the tweet.

However, this is not the first time he has got embroiled in legal trouble. In February 2022, he was detained for an offensive tweet directed at Karnataka High Court Justice Krishna Dixit, who was then hearing the hijab case.