By Vartha Bharati
Bengaluru, June 16: The Subramanyapura Police in Bengaluru have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Atmananda Saraswati Swamiji of the Samartha Sridharashrama Trust after a viral video surfaced on social media showing him delivering an hate speech calling for violence against Muslims and Christians.
The FIR has been registered suo motu by the police under sections 196(1) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on Sunday, June 16.
The controversial video, which first appeared on Saturday, June 15, triggered massive outrage across Karnataka and beyond. In the video, Swamiji can be heard saying, “Only Sanatana Dharma is the true religion in this country. All others are just groups. Muslims and Christians must be eliminated using modern weapons.”
He further added, “There is no wrong in killing thousands if they go against Sanatana Dharma. Our earlier leaders made a mistake by sparing them out of mercy. Now this must stop. Hindus must rise like Shivaji and cleanse the nation of such elements.”
The speech was reportedly delivered during a religious gathering at his residence at Flat No. 202, Siriram Paradise Apartment, Purnapragna Nagar, AGS Layout, Uttarahalli, Bengaluru.
Police officials said that the FIR was filed after verifying the authenticity of the video and the gravity of its content. Head Constable Vinay Kumar A.B. (HC-9784) of Subramanyapura Police Station submitted the formal report, citing that the statements made by the Swamiji had the potential to incite violence, disturb public peace, and promote enmity between religious communities.
The FIR clearly states that the speech amounts to promoting hatred, calling for communal violence, and encouraging a targeted attack on minority communities.
This story was originally published in english.varthabharati.in. Read the full story here.