Mysuru: The Mysuru and Chamarajanagar District Vokkaligara Sangha has warned of an agitation if what it described as abusive and derogatory remarks against former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha continue.

In a press release issued on September 27, Sangha General Secretary M.E. Chetan said the organisation had condemned the alleged use of vulgar language, personal insults and defamatory remarks against Simha. The Sangha said such remarks should stop and warned that it would be compelled to launch a protest if they continued.

The statement comes amid a recent controversy involving Simha in T. Narasipur, where police registered an FIR following allegations concerning a speech during a Ganesha idol immersion procession.

Sangha objects to alleged personal remarks

According to the Sangha, certain individuals had publicly made what it described as insulting and unparliamentary comments against Simha.

Chetan said criticism of a public figure could be expressed through lawful and constitutional means, but personal attacks, threats and abusive language should not be encouraged.

The organisation said public platforms, including social media, should not become spaces for derogatory comments that could affect an individual’s dignity or create tension.

The Sangha also emphasised that differences of opinion were natural in a democracy and that individuals had the right to express political and social views.

Its position, as stated in the press release, was that criticism and disagreement should remain within lawful and democratic boundaries.

Sangha refers to caste-based abuse case

The Vokkaligara Sangha also referred to a case involving alleged caste-based abuse registered against Simha in T. Narasipur.

The organisation said laws intended to prevent caste-based humiliation, discrimination and atrocities were important and that genuine victims should receive legal protection.

At the same time, it said there should be fair and lawful scrutiny of allegations and expressed concern about what it described as the misuse of such laws for political purposes. These are the Sangha’s assertions and do not establish that any law was misused in this case.

The organisation did not say that Simha had been cleared of any allegation. Rather, its statement focused on the manner in which criticism and remarks against him were being made.

FIR registered in T. Narasipur

The controversy follows an FIR registered against Simha and others at T. Narasipur Police Station earlier this month.

According to Star of Mysore, the case relates to an alleged speech delivered by Simha near a mosque during a Ganesha idol immersion procession on September 18.

Police said the procession had been organised by Hindu organisations following a dispute concerning the procession route and remarks allegedly made by a police inspector during a meeting with festival organisers.

The FIR was registered based on a complaint by T. Narasipur Police Sub-Inspector N.M. Malleshaiah. The sections mentioned in the report include provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to public order, rioting, unlawful assembly, promoting enmity and statements allegedly capable of causing public disorder.

The police have said permission for speeches had been restricted to the beginning or end of the procession. According to the police version reported by Star of Mysore, Simha allegedly spoke again when the procession reached the area near the mosque.

Simha has not accepted the allegations as established facts. He was quoted as saying that he had not seen the FIR and would respond after examining its contents.

Police cite crowd and security concerns

The T. Narasipur police said permission had initially been sought for around 300 people, while authorities anticipated a much larger gathering.

Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said police had made security arrangements anticipating nearly 5,000 participants and had prepared separate plans to manage the situation.

According to the police account, the immersion procession was completed by around 11 pm and measures were taken to maintain law and order.

The FIR remains part of an ongoing legal process, and registration of a case does not by itself establish guilt.

Sangha calls for lawful criticism

The Vokkaligara Sangha’s latest statement focused on the broader issue of public discourse surrounding political figures.

The organisation said allegations or criticism should be presented through constitutional and legal mechanisms rather than through abusive language or personal attacks.

It also said that public disagreements should not lead to threats or behaviour that could create unnecessary tension.

The Sangha’s warning of a possible agitation indicates that the issue could develop into a public protest if the alleged remarks continue. However, the statement did not announce a specific date or venue for any protest.

The organisation has instead called for the alleged abusive remarks to stop.

Political controversy continues

Simha, a former BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu, has remained involved in public political debates after completing his tenure as a Member of Parliament.

The current dispute combines two separate issues: the Sangha’s objection to alleged remarks made against Simha and the police case concerning his alleged speech at the T. Narasipur Ganesha procession.

The two matters should be distinguished. The Sangha’s statement concerns comments made about Simha, while the police case concerns allegations arising from his own speech during the procession.

As the legal proceedings continue, the allegations made by different parties remain subject to verification and due process.

Conclusion

The Mysuru and Chamarajanagar District Vokkaligara Sangha has warned of an agitation if alleged abusive and derogatory remarks against former MP Prathap Simha do not stop. The organisation has called for criticism of public figures to be expressed through lawful and constitutional means.

The statement comes against the backdrop of an FIR registered against Simha and others in T. Narasipur over an alleged speech during a Ganesha immersion procession. The police case and the Sangha’s objections to remarks against Simha are separate matters, with both developments continuing amid ongoing legal and public debate.