Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Protests Surround Prakash Raj Over Alleged Anti-Hindu Statements in Dharwad
Actor Prakash Raj was going to speak at a programme about humanity in Dharwad.
Some Hindu organisations and BJP workers protested outside the venue.
They said they were worried he might make statements against Hindus.
Some youths tried to enter and surround him, but police stopped them.
Several protesters were detained after short clashes.
Two youths allegedly put ink on his banner and tore it.
The programme organisers protested against the incident by sitting on the road and chanting slogans against the RSS.
Separately, Prakash Raj said civil society groups would campaign in Bengaluru against the revision of voter lists.
Hindu organisations and some BJP workers attempted to gherao Prakash Raj in Dharwad on Sunday.
Protesters alleged that Prakash Raj might make anti-Hindu statements at a humanity-themed programme.
Police prevented youths from entering the venue and detained several protesters after brief confrontations.
Two youths allegedly smeared ink on Prakash Raj’s banner and tore the flex outside the venue.
Prakash Raj announced a September 1 Bengaluru campaign opposing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Who
- Actor Prakash Raj, Hindu organisations, some BJP workers, programme organisers, police and civil society organisations were involved.
- What
- Protesters attempted to gherao Prakash Raj in Dharwad; he also announced an Election Commission Chalo campaign opposing the electoral-roll revision.
- When
- The Dharwad protest occurred on Sunday; the campaign was announced on Tuesday for September 1.
- Where
- The protest took place outside Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad; the campaign is planned for Bengaluru.
- Why
- Protesters feared alleged anti-Hindu statements, while Prakash Raj and civil society organisations objected to alleged flaws in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Protesting Groups
Programme Organisers and Prakash Raj
Reason for the Dharwad protest
Protesting Groups
Hindu organisations and some BJP workers alleged that Prakash Raj might deliver anti-Hindu statements at the programme.
Programme Organisers and Prakash Raj
The programme organisers opposed the protest and held a road demonstration after youths allegedly damaged Prakash Raj’s banner.
Access to the venue
Protesting Groups
Some youths tried to surround Prakash Raj and force their way into the venue.
Programme Organisers and Prakash Raj
Police prevented the protesters from entering and detained several of them after brief confrontations.
Electoral-roll revision
Protesting Groups
The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer published the draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision-2026 exercise.
Programme Organisers and Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj and civil society organisations objected to alleged flaws, including deleting voters marked absent or permanently shifted without giving them a fair chance to establish eligibility.
- Programme
- Manushyatvadege Samudaya Jatha, also described as the Samudaya Jagatha Towards Humanity programme.
- Protest location
- Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha venue, Dharwad.
- Police action
- Police stopped protesters from entering and detained several people after brief confrontations.
- Banner incident
- Two youths allegedly smeared ink on Prakash Raj’s banner and tore the flex.
- Planned campaign
- Election Commission Chalo is scheduled for September 1 in Bengaluru.
- Electoral-roll concern
- Prakash Raj questioned deleting voters marked absent or permanently shifted without first giving them a fair opportunity to establish eligibility.
- Draft roll
- The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer published the Draft Electoral Roll after the Special Intensive Revision-2026 exercise.