Kalaburagi, 1 June

A case has been registered against Manikanta Narendra Rathod for uploading a provocative video on Facebook where said that "the Muslim community should be "uprooted completely" and that those accused of "Love Jihad" should be killed within 8 days.

In the video shared on his Facebook account that has since gone viral, Rathod said that if police in Kalaburagi are held back for just 15 minutes, Muslims can be massacred collectively. Following this provocative and communal statement, a complaint was filed on Saturday by Syed Aleem Ilahi and an FIR registered by the police at the Central Police Station (CEN Station).

In the video, Rathod is heard making the threats in the Lambani language, calling for the extermination of Muslims and the killing of alleged 'Jihadists' within eight days, all of which is framed in a way that could incite religious conflict. The video has now sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms.

30-year old Rathod is no stranger to conflict. On 26 May, a case had already been filed against him at Chittapur police station for alleged remarks against Minister Priyank Kharge.

The police are investigation the case to determine the extent of Rathod's culpability.

"Rathod allegedly uploaded a provocative video on Facebook" Sharanappa SD Commissioner of Kalaburagi told Salar News.

Notably, Manikanta Rathod had contested the previous Assembly elections from the Chittapur Constituency as a BJP candidate, where he was defeated by Congress leader Priyank Kharge.