Actor Chetan Kumar sues Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar, demands public apology

Kannada actor Chetan Kumar has filed a defamation suit before the City Civil Court in Bengaluru against Karnataka Labour Minister Arbail Shivram Hebbar seeking compensation of Re 1 and a public apology. In a statement released later, the actor accused minister Hebbar of using “demeaning and offensive language” against him.“ Although I generally ignore such words coming from the public, Mr Hebbar is in a position of immense power, is misusing his role as a public servant and must be held accountable,” Chetan explained. Earlier this month, on June 11, Hebbar had condemned Chetan’s statements that quoted Dr B R Ambedkar and Periyar and made a call through tweets to “uproot Brahminism,” alleging that it has “killed the ideas” of Basava and Buddha. Reacting to the tweets made by the actor on May 27, June 1, and June 6, Hebbar termed those as “against the Constitution” and made as a “publicity stunt”. He also added that he would appeal to the chief minister to take suitable action.

The Karnataka Brahmin Development Board filed a complaint with the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner after which an FIR was registered against Chetan at Ulsoor Gate police station. Later, the Basavangudi police registered another FIR based on a complaint filed by Pawan Kumar Sharma, president of the Vipra Yuva Vedike, a community organisation. Both FIRs mentioned charges as per 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code. Chetan’s comment triggered a huge uproar and the Brahmin community members accused the actor of equating Brahminism with terrorism." Some of our celebrities believe that refraining from discussing caste and discrimination will stop those issues from being perpetuated. Isn't that amusing now? Well, then what about issues like corruption, female foeticide, or even corona which so many scientists and experts are discussing - shouldn't they too go away if we just stop talking about them? The only way to treat an ailment is by addressing it first - similarly, caste identity is the society's ailment and the only way to fix it is by addressing it. In this regard, we can all assess how mature this person is (Upendra) based on his comments. Justice isn't about maintaining status-quo but rather about extending support to those who have been discriminated against and over-looked - even Babasaheb Ambedkar echoed these words and we all know how much this celebrity knows about the great Ambedkar," Chetan Kumar was quoted by TOI as saying. The city court has issued a notice to the Minister and adjourned the hearing till July 14 as per a report in Hindu.