Mangaluru: Hindu outfits, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, today demanded that the government should arrest rationalist Kannada writer, KS Bhagwan for his "derogatory" remarks on Hindu Gods.
Addressing a press meet, VHP leader, MB Puranik alleged that the state government and police were supporting Mr Bhagwan despite a First Information Report (FIR) filed against him at the Uppinangady police station, based on a complaint by a Hindu activist.
Mr Bhagwan had been under fire from Hindu organisations for his highly "derogatory" remarks on Hinduism and Bhagavad Gita. He has been receiving threat calls and hate-messages over the issue, and is under police protection at his residence in Mysuru.
Mr Puranik accused the professor of making derogatory remarks against deities Rama, Krishna and the Bhagwad Gita. He said the VHP wanted the government to arrest him immediately and alleged that the state government was indirectly supporting him for his 'audacious' remarks on Hinduism.
Though an FIR had been filed against Mr Bhagwan for his insulting remarks, he had not yet been arrested, Mr Puranik said.
Earlier, 77-year-old Professor MM Kalburgi, a well-known rationalist, who was shot dead on August 20 at his home in Dharwad, Karnataka.
In August 2013, anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead in Pune while he was out for a morning walk.
In February this year, social activist and veteran CPI leader Govind Pansare, who was holding agitations against toll tax among other issues, was shot dead in similar circumstances in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
