Bengaluru, September 13 2026 – Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge publicly rebuked former Mysuru MP Pratap Simha after the latter warned he would walk into a police station if a police inspector repeated remarks he deemed threatening to youngsters.
Kharge posted a terse message on social media, stating that Simha was welcome to enter the station but that doing so would trigger his immediate arrest and transfer to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison at no cost to the state. He described the former MP as a “street rowdy from Mysuru” and accused him of making provocative statements to stay politically relevant.
The Home Minister added that the Home Department would not hesitate to launch legal action against anyone obstructing police duties or disturbing communal harmony. He emphasized that weakening police morale would not be tolerated.
The controversy stems from a video that went viral showing Mysuru district police inspector Dhananjay speaking at a peace meeting before Ganesh Chaturthi. In the clip the officer warned that firecrackers would not be allowed near a mosque, a comment that sparked criticism from Simha. The former MP argued that the police were adopting an authoritarian tone and questioned why restrictions appeared stricter for Hindu festivals than for mosque loudspeakers. Simha said, “If you speak like this again, I will enter the police station myself,” and condemned the inspector’s language as unacceptable.
Kharge’s response escalated the verbal clash, reaffirming the government’s commitment to support police in maintaining law and order during festival celebrations. The exchange highlights ongoing debates about how law‑enforcement officials should communicate in sensitive communal settings, especially in coastal Karnataka where religious festivals draw large crowds.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf