Karnataka BJP Leader Booked For Video Allegedly Calling For Mass Murder Of Muslims

A case has been registered against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manikanta Narendra Rathod, 30, after a video surfaced on Facebook in which he allegedly calls for the mass killing of Muslims, HT reported. The video, which quickly went viral, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns about communal harmony in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district.

According to Kalaburagi Commissioner of Police Sharanappa S D, Rathod is accused of making inflammatory remarks in the Lambani language. In the video, he purportedly calls for the "complete extermination" of the Muslim community and urges the killing of individuals accused of “Love Jihad” within eight days. He also allegedly claimed that if police were restrained for just 15 minutes in Kalaburagi, a massacre of Muslims could be carried out.

The video triggered public outrage across social media platforms, prompting calls for Rathod’s immediate arrest from civil society groups, opposition leaders, and concerned citizens. A formal complaint was lodged on Saturday by Syed Aleem Ilahi, 34, leading to the registration of an FIR at the Central Police Station (CEN Station).

Commissioner Sharanappa confirmed that police are actively investigating the incident. “Rathod allegedly uploaded a provocative video on Facebook. We are gathering evidence to assess the extent of his culpability,” he said.

This is not the first time Rathod has faced legal trouble. Just days earlier, on May 26, a separate case was filed against him at Chittapur Police Station for making derogatory remarks against Karnataka minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge. That complaint, lodged by Congress worker Hanumanth Soman, accused Rathod of attempting to incite public unrest.

Rathod, a former BJP candidate from the Chittapur constituency, contested the last Assembly election but was defeated by Kharge. Neither Rathod nor the BJP has issued a public statement on the current allegations as of Sunday evening.

The incident has once again ignited debate over hate speech and political accountability in India, especially in sensitive communal contexts.