Bengaluru engineering college warden arrested after his ‘speak only in Hindi’ diktat draws fire

Later, when a group of students said that it was their right to communicate in their mother tongue, Suresh allegedly replied, “I will decide whether you should speak in Kannada or Hindi.”

The students had secretly recorded the video, which was later uploaded on social media. After the video went viral, Kannada activists protested in front of the college and hostel demanding action against Suresh.

A complaint was filed at the Bannerghatta police station against Suresh by one Mahesh Hatti on Monday.
The police booked Suresh under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc) and 352 (insulting another person with the aim or knowledge that it will provoke them to disturb public peace or commit another offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In a letter addressed to Suresh, the principal of the college said, “This is to inform you that a complaint has been received regarding an incident that occurred in the AMC boys’ hostel. Considering the matter, you are hereby placed under dismiss from the duties of hostel warden with immediate effect, in the interest of the institution. You are directed to hand over the charge, records, and hostel-related responsibilities to the concerned authority immediately.”

Suresh has been remanded in judicial custody, and the investigation is underway in the case.