Manikanta Rathod. File
| Photo Credit: Arun Kulkarni
Following a complaint by one Syed Aleem Ilahi, Kalaburagi police have booked BJP leader from Chittapur Manikanta Rathod for threatening Muslim community in a video that went viral on Saturday (May 31, 2025).
In his complaint, Mr. Aleem Illahi alleged that Mr. Rathod called for uprooting Muslim community and kill the perpetrators of ‘Love Jihad’ within eight days instigating the enmity between communities of different faiths.
Based on the complaint and the video that went viral, a case was registered against Mr. Rathod at the CEN Crime Police Station in Kalaburagi under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups), 197 (imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration), 299 (outraging the religious feelings), 253 (statements conducing to public mischief) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
In the video clip in question, Mr. Rathod is seen speaking in his Lambani language mentioning a recent rape of a Lambani girl, allegedly by Muslim youths, and calling upon his community members to settle scores against Muslims.
In the disturbing video, Mr. Rathod was seen threatening mass violence against Muslims, stating that if the police were held off for just 15 minutes, all Muslims in Kalaburagi could be massacred. He also claimed that “jihadis” must be eliminated within eight days, and went so far as to say the Muslim community should be “uprooted”.
Speaking to The Hindu, Kalaburagi Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa confirmed the registration of a First Information Report against Mr. Rathod.
“The FIR is registered and the investigation is on. Presently, [the] accused is not in Kalaburagi district. We will take action as per the law,” the officer said.
This is not Mr. Rathod’s first brush with controversy. Several cases are already booked against him in various police stations in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts on various charges – including smuggling of PDS rice meant for beneficiaries of Anna Bhagya Scheme and threatening to murder Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.
Considering his involvement in criminal activities, the Kalaburagi Police had banished him from Kalaburagi district. Yadgir police had arrested him in connection with the rice theft case reported in Shahapur.
The BJP had fielded the history-sheeter against Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge in Chittapur in 2023 Assembly Elections. Mr. Rathod lost the high-voltage poll battle despite many national leaders such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath campaigning for him.
Published – June 01, 2025 03:44 pm IST
