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The court observed that it is highly unlikely for a protester participating in a demonstration organised by the BJP to raise slogans favouring Pakistan
The court noted that the police complaint was registered nearly two years after the protest occurred, based primarily on a video clip circulated on a YouTube channel rather than immediate on-ground reporting. Representational image/PTI
The Karnataka High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a participant accused of raising a “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan during a protest organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Justice V Srishananda observed that it is highly unlikely for a protester participating in a demonstration organised by the BJP to raise slogans favouring Pakistan, noting that any such utterance was likely an unintentional slip of the tongue rather than deliberate.
The court ruled that continuing criminal proceedings under such circumstances would amount to an abuse of the process of law.
Background of the Protest and Slogan Slip
The case originated from a political demonstration organised by the BJP in Mandya on December 18, 2022, to protest against controversial remarks made by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister. The petitioner, DS Ravi Kumar, attended the protest along with other party workers.
Legal counsel representing the petitioner informed the court that the protester intended to chant “Pakistan Murdabad” to express condemnation, but accidentally uttered “Pakistan Zindabad” in the heat of the moment. Counsel argued there was no intent to disrespect national sentiment or promote enmity between communities.
Massive Delay in Filing Complaint and Lack of Sanction
In its detailed ruling, the High Court highlighted severe procedural and factual flaws in the prosecution’s case. The court noted that the police complaint was registered nearly two years after the protest occurred, based primarily on a video clip circulated on a YouTube channel rather than immediate on-ground reporting.
At A Glance
The Karnataka High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a participant accused of raising a Pakistan Zindabad slogan.
The political demonstration was organised by the BJP in Mandya on December 18, 2022.
The police complaint was registered nearly two years after the protest occurred based on a YouTube video clip.
The magistrate took cognisance of the offence without securing mandatory prior sanction from competent authorities.
Furthermore, the court emphasised that the magistrate had taken cognisance of the offence under Section 505(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code without securing the mandatory prior sanction required from competent authorities. The bench also ruled that essential ingredients required to establish an offence under Section 153B of the IPC were entirely absent in the matter.
Absence of Public Disturbance or Enmity
The bench observed that the police failed to identify other participants allegedly involved or present evidence that the slogan caused any public unrest or sectarian disharmony. Given the anti-Pakistan context of the rally, the court concluded there was no malicious intent to disrupt national integration, allowing the petition and quashing all pending trial proceedings.
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Ask News18The Karnataka High Court quashed the case after observing that the slogan was likely an unintentional slip of the tongue by a protester at a BJP rally, noting that continuing proceedings would abuse the law.
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Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
November 04, 2026, 20:26 IST
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