Kota Police arrested Raghavendra Kanchan Barikere, a former Udupi Zilla Panchayat member, on May 31 for allegedly provoking communal unrest by sharing an old, inflammatory video on social media.
Barikere circulated a previously recorded video featuring Riyaz Farangipete, originally part of a 2021 case at the Mangaluru Central Police Station, which was found to be deliberately aimed at inciting Hindu youth and stoking communal discord in the region.
Authorities registered a case against Barikere under FIR No. 108/2025 at Kota Police Station, invoking Sections 196 and 56 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After his arrest, he was presented before the court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
Police officials also revealed that multiple cases, including a double murder charge, are already pending against Barikere at the same station.
This arrest underscores the growing scrutiny of digital platforms being used to disseminate provocative content, especially in communally sensitive regions. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to act strictly against misuse of social media and attempts to disturb public harmony.
The incident has reignited discussions on digital responsibility and the urgent need for vigilance against recycled content that can rekindle old tensions.
Read also;