In the pitch of electioneering in Karnataka, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil is in sizzling trouble for his alleged hate speech in the sensitive border town of Belgaum recently.
The Belgaum police have charged Patil with allegedly promoting enmity between different groups, religions, races and languages. This police case against Patil is going to snowball into a major political issue in Maharashtra and in Karnataka which is facing Assembly elections on May 5.
According to sources, the Minister allegedly made the remarks at an event organised by Kiran Thakur, editor of Marathi daily Tarun Bharat, which is published from Belgaum. The speech was filmed as the election code of conduct is in effect in Karnataka.
The speech was made in Belgaum district of Karnataka on April 7. An FIR has been registered against Patil under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 125 of People’s Representation Act. He was addressing a function to celebrate the birthday of Tarun Bharat, Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti leader and editor of a Marathi daily. The model code is in force in view of the coming Assembly elections.