Karnataka BJP chief booked over video calling for homicide of Muslims

In the video, Rathod is purportedly heard making inflammatory remarks within the Lambani language, allegedly calling for the entire extermination of the Muslim group and urging the killing of these accused of “Love Jihad” inside eight days. He additional claimed that if the police had been held again for simply quarter-hour in Kalaburagi, a bloodbath of Muslims could possibly be carried out.

The video sparked intense backlash on social media, with civil society teams, political leaders, and anxious residents demanding Rathod’s speedy arrest. A grievance on this regard was lodged on Saturday by Syed Aleem Ilahi, 34, following which an FIR was registered on the Central Police Station (CEN Station).

Kalaburagi Commissioner of Police Sharanappa S D mentioned: “Rathod allegedly uploaded a provocative video on Facebook. We are investigating the matter and gathering evidence to determine the extent of his culpability.”

This incident comes shortly after one other case was filed towards Rathod on May 26, 2025, at Chittapur Police Station, for derogatory feedback made towards Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge. That grievance was filed by Hanumanth Soman, 49, a Congress celebration employee, who accused Rathod of creating remarks geared toward disturbing public peace.

Rathod, a former BJP candidate from Chittapur constituency, had contested the earlier Assembly elections however was defeated by Congress chief Priyank Kharge.

Legal proceedings have now been initiated below a number of sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), together with Sections 196(1), (2), 197(1), (2), 299, 351(3), 353(2), and a couple of.2.