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‘Show proof or apologise’: Mohan Gowda challenges Priyank Kharge over ‘habitual offender’ remark

Mohan Gowda hits back at Karnataka Home Minister over ‘habitual offender’ slur, demands proof of conviction

Priyank Kharge and Mohan Gowda

Bengaluru, Karnataka – In the arrest case of Mohan Gowda of the ‘Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti’, the Karnataka High Court had rebuked Bengaluru’s Whitefield Police Station for carrying out an unlawful arrest, referring to it as a ‘Darkfield’ police station.

Responding to questions posed by journalists regarding this matter, Priyank Kharge, the Home Minister in Karnataka’s Congress government, issued a warning that threatening event organisers in Karnataka via social media would not be tolerated. Kharge further stated that there was a discrepancy in communication. He claimed that the individual (Mohan Gowda) was taken into custody for an entirely different reason that had nothing to do with Kunal Kamra, adding, “He (Mohan Gowda) is a repeat offender.”

Kharge further stated:

  1. “Does anyone realise how badly this incident damages the state’s image? Has any court declared someone anti-national? Or has it ruled that his (Kunal Kamra’s) programmes are unconstitutional?” Kharge asked.
  2. The government will stand firmly behind honest, law-abiding police personnel. At the same time, he warned that those who act contrary to the law will not receive protection. 

Furnish proof that I am a ‘habitual offender’ or tender an apology – Mohan Gowda challenges Priyank Kharge

Responding to Priyank Kharge’s statements, Mohan Gowda said:

“Respected Kharge Saheb, publicly declaring that ‘he is a repeat offender’ regarding me is a completely false and baseless allegation. Is there any court verdict convicting me in any case? If so, make the details public. Isn’t it a misuse of power for an individual occupying a responsible position like that of the Home Minister to brand a citizen as a ‘habitual offender’ without any conviction from a court of law? If you possess any legal evidence against me, prove it in court. Otherwise, withdraw these false allegations and tender a public apology. Raising one’s voice for the truth and for rights guaranteed under the Constitution cannot be halted by any pressure, threats, or false accusations.” 

Home Minister Kharge’s threat is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression in a democracy – Mohan Gowda

Shri. Mohan Gowda further stated:

“Take action against those who issue threats; you have our full support for that. However, lodging an objection against an event and submitting a memorandum to the police within the legal framework cannot be labelled a ‘threat’—doing so is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression in a democracy. Who precisely threatened comedian Kunal Kamra’s show? What is the evidence against them? Requesting the police to maintain public peace and social harmony is the fundamental right of every citizen. We did nothing more than that, and it is not a crime.

“However, is it not an insult to the Constitution when you flout Supreme Court directives and your own department’s regulations to unlawfully arrest law-abiding citizens? While you repeatedly speak about protecting the Constitution, you are the very ones trampling upon the fundamental rights granted to citizens, thereby undermining the core principles of the Constitution.”

Karnataka HC slams Bengaluru Police over Mohan Gowda detention

August 31, 2026

“Time to police the police,” says High Court while staying action against Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti leader

Bengaluru, Karnataka – The Karnataka High Court severely reprimanded the Bengaluru Whitefield Police Station personnel over the detention of Mohan Gowda, the Karnataka State Coordinator of the ‘Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti’. 

Mohan Gowda had published a Facebook post describing the cancellation of a show by notorious comedian Kunal Kamra as a ‘victory of Hindu unity’. Following a complaint by a police constable alleging the spread of false information on social media, the Bengaluru Police took suo motu cognisance and registered a case against him under Sections 217 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Hearings took place in the Bengaluru High Court on 28 and 29 August. During the hearing, Justice M. Nagaprasanna sharply admonished the police, questioning their conduct and stating that wearing a uniform did not give them the license to take citizens’ liberty lightly. He further remarked that while they might deceive others, they could not escape the oversight of the court, adding that the time had come where the police themselves needed to be policed.  

High Court’s strict reprimand of the police

Police power does not mean a licence for police high-handedness!

An ordinary person wearing a uniform to become a police officer does not automatically grant them exemption from constitutional discipline. Every police power carries a corresponding responsibility to exercise that authority impartially, fairly, and strictly for the purpose for which it was granted. The police must exercise restraint in some, if not all, cases. As demonstrated in this case, police power is not a licence for police high-handedness.

What was the rush to make an arrest?

The judge asked the police that when a notice under Section 35(3) had been served directing the individual to appear after three days, what was the what was the urgency during this period to go to Udupi at 2 a.m. and bring him to Bengaluru?

Who would voluntarily step forward to enter a ‘sacred’ place like a police station?

When the police submitted that Gowda had voluntarily agreed to come to the police station in his own car, the court remarked: “Is this believable? Who would step forward saying, ‘Yes, I want to go to the police station, that sacred place’?” The court further clarified that it was not shielding any accused from a lawful investigation. If the person fails to appear within the time frame specified in the notice, the police may take legal action, but not before that.

The police cannot become the law unto themselves!

In a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, the police cannot become the law unto themselves; they are as bound by the mandates of the Constitution and the law as the citizen against whom they take action.

The power of arrest cannot become a tool of oppression!

The power of arrest cannot become a tool of oppression, and the authority to enforce the law cannot be misused to bypass it.

Rename Whitefield Police Station to ‘Darkfield’!

“Now change the name of Whitefield Police Station to Darkfield Police Station,” the court remarked in stern words while censuring the police after being told that power fluctuations had allegedly affected the CCTV system at the station. 

Director General of Police ordered to issue arrest guidelines for all state police stations

Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit a report on statewide compliance with guidelines by 25 September 2026. This strictly mandates adherence to Supreme Court rulings regarding safeguards against arrest. Furthermore, officers who violate the law may face departmental inquiries and punitive action. Officers present in Court were also instructed to attend the next hearing. The interim order staying the action against Mohan Gowda has been extended, and the next hearing in the case is scheduled for 25 September.

Bengaluru: Sou motu case filed against Hindu activist over cancelled Kunal Kamra show video

August 13, 2026

  • Case registered against Mohan Gowda, Karnataka State Co-ordinator of Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti

  • Samiti had submitted memorandum demanding cancellation of Kamra’s show that ridicules Hindus

Bengaluru, Karnataka – Shri. Mohan Gowda, the Karnataka State Co-ordinator of Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti, had recorded a video within the premises of the ‘Whitefield Police Station’ here. In the video, he claimed that the ‘Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti’ had demanded a stop to Kunal Kamra’s programme and that the police inspector had assured action. Shri. Gowda later circulated this video on ‘X’ as well.

However, after a complaint was filed by a police constable alleging the spread of false information on social media, the Bengaluru Police took suo motu cognisance and registered a case against Shri. Gowda.

The police constable found the statements circulated by Shri. Gowda on ‘X’ to be misleading and false, based on which the case was registered. The police inspector claimed that he had given no such assurance.

Police made this claim in the complaint!

In the complaint, the complainant constable stated that Gowda mentioned in the video that the police inspector had assured him of taking action against the organiser and Kunal Kamra. He had also claimed that the police inspector assured the cancellation of the programme. Furthermore, Gowda also stated that such programmes had been cancelled in the past due to opposition from his organisation (Hindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti).

He had said, “A huge victory for Hindu unity – after strong opposition raised by the Hindus of Whitefield, Kunal Kamra’s comedy show in Bengaluru, who has a history of insulting Hindu deities and culture, has been cancelled.”

According to a senior police officer, the inspector at Whitefield gave no assurance to Shri. Gowda regarding action against the organiser and Kunal Kamra, nor did he state that the programme would be stopped. According to the officer, the event organiser had cancelled the programme on their own.

According to the police, the claims made by Gowda, which also made reference to the police inspector, were far from the facts and completely misleading.

The police registered the case under Section 217 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — giving false information to a public servant with the intent to cause harm to another person — and Section 353(2) — statements creating public mischief or disorder.

Regarding the registration of the offence, a representative of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Whitefield, Saidulu Adavath. He was asked, “If a Hindu person approaches you demanding action against the insult of deities and you take action against that very person, don’t you feel that way?”

To this, Adavath said that the police have taken similar action in matters related to other religions as well. According to him, action will be taken against any person who attempts to spread enmity between two groups.

Congress government’s attempt to suppress the voice of Hindus by registering a case! – Shri. Mohan Gowda

Speaking to the representative of ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ regarding this matter, Shri. Mohan Gowda said that they would fight in court against this alleged illegal action by the police.

He said, “Fundamentally, we submitted a written memorandum to the police in a lawful manner to get Kunal Kamra’s programme cancelled. Using our freedom of expression, we made a video regarding the demands made in the memorandum and informed the public about it. Action is being taken against me purely due to political pressure. Whatever happens, the government will not be able to suppress the voice of Hindus. In fact, this action will further increase the strength of Hindus. We will not be scared, but will fight against this in court.”

When asked about the allegations made by the police, Shri. Gowda said that all allegations made by the police are baseless and contain no facts. He claimed that the police had assured him that “they would take action regarding Kunal Kamra’s programme.”

Kunal Kamra’s Bengaluru show cancelled following opposition by Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti

August 4, 2026

This victory is a result of awareness and organised strength of Hindus — Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti 

Bengaluru – The comedy show by stand-up artist Kunal Kamra, scheduled to be held on 3 August 2026 at URU Whitefield, Pattandur Agrahara in Bengaluru, has been cancelled.

In relation to this event, various Hindu organisations led by the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti (HRSS) submitted a memorandum to the Whitefield Police Station on 1 August, demanding the cancellation of the show keeping in view law and order, public peace, and religious harmony. 

Past instances of anti-Hindu statements 

It was mentioned in the memorandum that Kunal Kamra has previously hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus through several of his comedy shows and public statements by insulting Prabhu Shri Ram, Hindu Dharma, and sacred Hindu sites. The memorandum also brought to the attention of the police that multiple complaints had been lodged against him at various police stations across the country in this regard. 

ALSO READ | Munawar Faruqui’s Bengaluru show cancelled following strong opposition from Hindu organisations

Against this backdrop, and considering the likelihood that the event organised at Whitefield could adversely impact public peace, law and order, and hurt the religious feelings of Hindus, the police department was requested to reconsider the permission granted and cancel the event. The police had assured appropriate action regarding the matter. 

Representatives of Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti and other pro-Hindu organisations submit a representation at Whitefield Police Station, Bengaluru.

A victory for the organised strength of Hindus

Subsequently, information was received from the venue owners that the programme had been cancelled. Welcoming this decision, the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti stated that this outcome is the result of awareness, organised strength, and a lawful, peaceful struggle by Hindu society. 

ALSO READ | HJS-led complaint forces cancellation of Nasif Akhtar comedy show in Bengaluru

On this occasion, Mohan Gowda, Karnataka State Spokesperson for the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Co-ordinator for the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, stated:

“This incident once again sends a clear message that Hindu society will not tolerate any attempt to hurt its religious sentiments. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the police department for taking positive action on a lawfully submitted memorandum, as well as to all the Hindu organisations, activists, and Hindu society who supported this effort.” 

During the submission of the memorandum, Mohan Gowda (Karnataka State Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti), Sriram Sena leader Sundaresh Nargal, Subramanya, Narayan Gowda, Bharath Kumar, Tayappa, along with key office-bearers of various Hindu organisations were present. 

Read more on Anti HindusHindu Rashtra Samanvaya Samiti​Success of Hindus

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