In the town of Bagalkote, Karnataka, a far-right leader’s incendiary speech during a Hindu Jagaran Vedike event was reported to have had instances of hate speech and allusions to violence against minorities. A speaker at the event of the RSS affiliated organization called for what he claimed a return of the instances that happened in Gujarat in 2002.
Location: Bagalkote, Karnataka
Date: August 19, 2023At Hindu Jagaran Vedike (HJV) event, a far-right leader calls for repeating Gujarat 2002 in Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/edXaiGl8A3
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) August 21, 2023
This is not the first instance of hate speech associated with the group. According to The Hindu, the group earlier faced action in 2017 when the Dakshina Kannada police had taken action by arresting HJV leader Jagadish Karanth in Bengaluru. Karanth had reportedly made a speech which was accused of hurting religious sentiments. This arrest marks yet another instance of the group coming under scrutiny for their actions. Beyond merely criticising local authorities in a derogatory manner, Karanth is said to have used language that deeply offended the religious sentiments of the minority community. Alarming reports also indicate that he issued threats of instigating communal riots in the region, thus adding fuel to an already volatile situation
The Hindu Jagaran Vedike has an extensive presence with branches spread across various states of India. It is known to be member of the Sangh Parivar group. The organisation trails a list of violent controversies in its history. In a report, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, a human rights organisation, has identified the HJV as one of the alleged perpetrators behind the anti-Christian violence that marred Karnataka in 2021.
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