Hyderabad: The Telangana Police has externed film critic Kathi Mahesh for six months from the State capital for his blasphemous comments against Ramayana and Lord Rama, which deeply hurt the sentiments of people of a majority community endangering peace and law and order situation in the State.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Director General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy said Kathi Mahesh has been taken out of the city to be dropped at his native place in Chittoor district. Mahesh’s heinous comments on Ramayana had injured the sentiments of a section of society and a counter agitation had been launched. “We will not allow any action to threaten the peace and order in the State. We have decided to take stern action against those making provocative statements. We have banished Kathi Mahesh for six months initially, if he attempts to sneak into the city, he may be kept in the jail for three years”, he said, adding that the police of both the Telugu States would work in unison to deal with such anti-social elements.
Mahender Reddy said any comments made on the social media or in the print or TV channels, which might escalate tension in the society or hurt sentiments of people will be viewed seriously and action initiated. The DGP also said a show-cause notice was served on a television channel which repeatedly telecast the interview of Kathi Mahesh leading to a tense situation in the society. After receiving an explanation, action could be contemplated under the provisions of the Cable TV Network Regulation Act, he added.
Earlier, the police also placed Swami Paripoornananda under house arrest in Hyderabad. The Swami had planned to lead a ‘Darmika Chaitanya Yatra’ from July 9 to 11 from Shiva Temple in Bodduppal to Yadadri by chanting ‘Sri Rama Sankeertans’ to protest against the provocative comments made by Kathi Mahesh. There were heated arguments between the Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists and the police at the Swami’s residence here.
The DGP pointed out that there was not a single violent incident in the Telangana State since the last four years as the Telangana police was working sincerely and leaving no stone unturned in maintaining peace and law and order in the State. Stating that the State emerged as No. 1 in the country in the maintenance of peace and law and order, the DGP said the law and order was under control since the last four years. Consequently, big industrialists were coming forward to establish their units in the peaceful State. “Under no circumstances, we will allow mischief mongers to engineer unrest in the State”, he warned. (NSS)