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HJS strongly condemns SDPI’s baseless allegations against the Guru Purnima event
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Police complaint lodged against SDPI leader Ashraf Talapady for inciting communal disharmony
Bantwal, Karnataka – The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has strongly condemned the false, baseless and inflammatory allegations made by SDPI leader Ashraf Talpady regarding its Guru Purnima festival. The Samiti has submitted a memorandum to Bantwal Town Police Station demanding appropriate legal action against the SDPI leader.
Hindus in Bantwal have united against SDPI after the organization branded the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Guru Purnima Mahotsav as an “anti-national” event.
Hindu faith should not be vilified. Peaceful Hindu religious observances deserve respect.
🚩 #GuruPurnima https://t.co/oxAKw6qDo2 pic.twitter.com/JLJ8VCbkVL
— 🚩Mohan Gowda🇮🇳 (@Mohan_HJS) July 31, 2026
The Guru Purnima Mahotsav organised by HJS on 29 July at Geetanjali Kalyan Mandap on B.C. Road was conducted in a completely peaceful and constitutional manner. The programme included Vyas Puja and a religious discourse on the theme of Ram Rajya. However, relying solely on promotional banners, the SDPI attempted to spread confusion and communal tension in society by branding this religious gathering an “anti-national event”.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti stated that for the past 24 years it has worked for religious awakening, national awakening and the preservation of culture while remaining within the framework of the Indian Constitution. Under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution every citizen enjoys freedom of expression. Therefore, holding peaceful views on religion, culture and the concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not an unlawful act. Despite this, deliberately branding a religious programme as “anti-national” in order to tarnish the Samiti’s image is highly reprehensible.
The Samiti has urged the police to immediately register an FIR, conduct an impartial investigation, and take strict legal action against those spreading false propaganda and causing unrest in society. Furthermore, necessary preventive measures should be taken to ensure that no organisation or individual obstructs constitutionally permissible religious events in the future.
Misuse of astrologer’s photo on social media
In a related incident, the photograph of Jyotishacharya Shri. Anil Pandit, who had put up banners to publicise the Guru Purnima Mahotsav, was misused on social media to circulate insulting messages designed to foment communal hatred. This damaged his personal reputation and hurt religious sentiments.
Condemning this act, representatives of various Hindu organisations also lodged a separate complaint at Bantwal Town Police Station, seeking identification of the culprits and firm action against them. Those present included Ashok Shetty of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu leader Sukumar Shetty, Shekhar Kottari, Jyotishacharya Shri Anil Pandit, Suresh Rai and other workers.
