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Prof who criticised Modi, Irani jailed for ‘insulting’ Lord Rama
BENGALURU: A journalism professor accused of insulting PM Narendra Modi and Union minister Smriti Irani has been jailed for insulting Lord Rama.
BENGALURU: A journalism professor accused of insulting PM Narendra Modi and Union minister Smriti Irani has been jailed for insulting Lord Rama.
Professor BP Mahesh Guru, who teaches at the Mysore University, was arrested on June 17 when he appeared before a Bengaluru court in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly insulting the Hindu god at a conference in January 2015.
Guru’s application for bail was rejected on Monday on the ground that he was facing another case filed by the Akhila Karnataka Dr Ambedkar Prachara Samiti over his comments against Modi and Irani.
Guru allegedly made the comments during a meeting to condole the death of Rohith Vemula, the Dalit scholar whose suicide over alleged caste discrimination triggered countrywide protests.
Guru, who has been teaching media studies in Mysore University for decades and served in committees of the Union Public Service Commission and the Karnataka Public Service Commission, is known for his outspoken views on social issues.
Dileep Kumar, a student of Mysore University, said some people in the audience took exception to his comments when Guru criticised Lord Rama for being unfair to Sita, prompting a littleknown outfit, Karnadu Sarvodaya Sena, to complain against him.
Guru is reported to have described Irani as a “third-rate actress unworthy of being the HRD minister”.
The Mysore University is now mulling to suspend Guru, who had celebrated Mahishasur Martyrdom Day to pay tribute to the demon king slain by Goddess Durga.
