BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal booked for alleged hate speech

Mangalore Today News Network

Yadgir, Feb 25, 2026: A case has been registered against Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for allegedly delivering a hate speech during a Shivaji Jayanti celebration in Karnataka’s Yadgir district.

The incident reportedly took place in Gurmitkal town on February 21, where Yatnal attended the Shivaji Jayanti event as chief guest following a grand procession, police said.

According to the FIR, the MLA allegedly made several controversial remarks during his speech. He is said to have recited a Hindi poem targeting a particular community and made statements referring to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, as per a PTI report.

Yatnal, who was expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party, also allegedly referred to “love jihad” while targeting a specific community and made derogatory remarks about certain historical figures.

Gurmitkal police said the speech sparked widespread backlash across news and social media platforms, with several people accusing the leader of inciting communal disharmony.

Following a preliminary inquiry, including a review of the video recording and preparation of its transcript, police sought legal opinion from the district police office.

Based on the opinion received, a case was registered on February 23 under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and acts prejudicial to harmony), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.