Case filed against Kannada actor Upendra for casteist remarks

An FIR has been filed against Kannada actor and Uttama Prajaakeeya Party leader Upendra under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The complaint was filed after his controversial remarks about Dalits on his Facebook Live, according to the police.

Upendra indicated his remarks at some of his party members, who make irrelevant comments. Later, the actor deleted the video, which compared bad behaviour and comments with the presence of certain castes in the community.

Assistant director of the social welfare department, Madhusudan, in his complaint at the CK Achukattu police station, accused the actor of defaming a community.

The police are investigating the case by registering a first-instance report (FIR). An atrocity case has been registered against actor Upendra, the police said. His remarks have also led to wide-scale protests by pro-Dalit people in Ramanagara, Karnataka. The posters of the star have been burnt and destroyed during the protest.

Reacting to the protest, Upendra apologised for his statement. He took to his Facebook handle and wrote, “I used a proverb in Facebook and Instagram live broadcast today. As soon as I found that it hurt many people’s feelings, I deleted that live video from my social media. And sorry for my statement.”

In addition to this, one more FIR was filed against Upendra at Halasur Gate Police Station after a complaint was filed by the chief of a pro-Kannada organisation.