Hindu outfits demand arrest of rationalist writer

Mangaluru: Hindu outfits Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Wednesday demanded that the government should arrest rationalist Kannada writer K S Bhagwan for his "derogatory" remarks on Hindu Gods.

Addressing a press meet at the VHP office here, VHP provincial working president M B Puranik alleged that the state government and police were supporting Bhagwan despite a First Information Report filed against him at the Uppinangady police station here based on a complaint by a Hindu activist.

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.

Puranik said an educated professor like Bhagwan was 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 Bhagwan for his insulting remarks, he had not yet been arrested, he said.