Bangalore: A court here on Tuesday directed police to register an FIR against Karnataka Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti for his statement in favour of separate statehood for North Karnataka.
Seventh Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jayaprakash ordered police to register the FIR against Katti under IPC sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence language etc).
Karnataka Anushtana Mandali President R A Prasad in his petition had sought criminal proceedings against the minister for making a statement in favour of separate statehood for North Karnataka.
Prasad alleged Katti`s statements violated states Reorganisation Act. "Such provocative words coming from a minister`s mouth is abominable. These remarks may disturb peace in the society," he said.
In October last year, Katti had stated at a meeting that he was firm on his stand that North Karnataka be made a separate state by 2020 for better development of the region.
The concept of small states would become a reality by the year 2020 and the country would have around 50 states, he had stated.
PTI
