Karnataka High Court Stays Coercive Steps Against BJP Leader Booked For Giving 'Inflammatory Speech' During Ganesh Chathurthi Festival

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday (September 24) in an interim order directed that no coercive steps will be taken against BJP Leader M P Renukacharya who has been booked in an FIR for allegedly making inflammatory speeches during Ganesh Chathurthi festival celebration this year. 

As per news reports, the BJP leader urged the youth to use DJ music during immersion despite an order issued by the district administration prohibiting the same. He reportedly, in a press conference, called upon the youth to violate this order.  Renukacharya has moved the high court seeking quashing of the FIR; in the interim he has sought a stay on the investigation. 

Issuing notice on the plea Justice MI Arun in his order dictated: 

"The allegation made against the petitioner is that during Ganesh Festival celebrations 2025, the petitioner made inflammatory speeches and the festival was celebrated in a manner blocking the public road...respondents are directed not to initiate any coercive steps against petitioner. Petitioner shall co-operate with the investigation". 

The FIR has been lodged under BNS Sections 126(2)(wrongful restraint),189(2)(unlawful assembly),190(Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object),285(Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation).

He has also been booked under BNS Section 353(2) which states that whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement or report containing false information, rumour or alarming news, including through electronic means, with intent to create or promote, or which is likely to create or promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. 

During the hearing the court orally said that, "one thing...festivals are being used for political reasons by state government also, that is being noticed. This should not be done". 

The counsel for petitioner submitted that the speeches made by the petitioner has been twisted and wrongly reported based on which the FIR was lodged. He also submitted that he was not responsible for the procession and he did not block any public way. 

The counsel for the state government questioned the language of the petitioner arguing that he could have challenged the order of the administration. "Nobody will stop him from challenging it...but he can't go around...this is not the language to be used," the counsel said.

Matter is listed after vacations. 

Case title: SRI M P RENUKACHARYA AND THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ANOTHER

CRL.P 13091/2025