Protests Erupt Over Prakash Raj at Dharwad Event, 20 Activists Detained

The concluding session of the Samudaya@50 event at the Karnataka Vidyavardhak Sangha (KVS) in Dharwad witnessed unruly scenes on Sunday following clashes between BJP, RSS, and ABVP workers and progressive thinkers over the presence of multilingual actor Prakash Raj.

Hindu outfits opposed Prakash Raj's participation in the programme. When the actor arrived at the venue, BJP and Hindu activists attempted to gherao him, shouting slogans accusing him of being anti-Hindu and anti-Dharmasthala. The event organisers, consisting largely of progressive thinkers, countered the demonstrators by raising slogans in support of the actor and according him a welcome.

Tensions flared again toward the end of the programme when BJP and ABVP workers attempted to question Prakash Raj regarding his stance on the Dharmasthala mass burial controversy. The organisers intervened and escorted the demonstrators out of the hall, triggering another round of arguments and slogan-shouting. To prevent further escalation, police escorted Prakash Raj out of the venue under tight security.

Following the disruption, several Hindu activists and ABVP workers smeared ink on a photograph of Prakash Raj and tore down his posters. Police took approximately 20 activists into preventive custody and shifted them to the Town Police Station.

Upon learning of the detentions, MLA Arvind Bellad arrived at the Town Police Station and questioned the police officers. Bellad demanded to know why those who called Prakash Raj anti-Hindu were detained while no action was initiated against individuals who allegedly made remarks against the RSS. Bellad stated that he would submit a complaint against the police to the Human Rights Commission and demanded action against the event organisers, alleging that protesters were assaulted when trying to question the actor.

Commenting on the incident, Prakash Raj stated that he was not angered by the demonstrators. He noted that eminent personalities and intellectuals had gathered for the event and advised the protesters not to be carried away by provocation, urging them instead to introspect on their actions.