2 FIRs against Kannada actor Upendra over ‘anti-Dalit’ remarks; protests held in Ramanagara

By then, the actor had issued an apology and deleted the Facebook post. Later he wrote, “The one who is speaking against me today was not even born then. Fifty years ago, I have seen cruel poverty, people dying by suicide by setting themselves on fire, hunger, humiliation and oppression. Would one who has grown up experiencing all this speak ill against a particular section? Am I crazy? What will I gain from it? Don’t you have the courage to offer forgiveness? Why so much hate?”

Meanwhile, protests erupted in Ramanagara district where agitators burnt Upendra’s effigy and chanted slogans condemning his statement. State president of Samata Sainik Dal M Venkataswamy said, “He is not an ordinary man but is a superstar. Though he projects himself as a progressive man, he carries a casteist mindset and we demand the government to book him and treat him like an offender.”

Another complaint was registered against Upendra on Sunday by Bhyrappa Harish Kumar, state president of the Karnataka Ranadhira Pade, following which the police filed an FIR under several sections of the IPC and under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

On Monday, Upendra was summoned by the Chennammana Kere Achukattu police to appear before them for questioning.