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Karnataka: Poet, editor arrested in Koppal district over anti-CAA poem

According to the police, Siraj Bisaralli had recited his poem against the citizenship law at a poet meet and the same was posted on social media by Rajabaxi H V, editor of Kannadanet.com, on January 14.

Siraj Bisaralli (right) and Rajabaxi H V were booked under Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of IPC.

The Karnataka Police Tuesday arrested two persons — a poet and a journalist — in Koppal district in north Karnataka over a poem against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Poet Siraj Bisaralli had recited his poem “Ninna Dakhale Yaavaga Needuttee? (When will you give your documents?)” last month at the Anegundu Utsava, an annual cultural event, the police said. The editor of Kannadanet.com, Rajabaxi H V, posted a video of the recital on social media on January 14.

Also read | Mumbai: Poet talks about CAA protests, Uber driver takes him to police

BJP Yuva Morcha district general secretary Shivu Arakeri lodged a complaint against the two Gangavathi Rural Police Station on January 24. Based on Arajeri’s complaint, a case was registered against the two under Section 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Bisaralli and Rajabaxi surrendered before a district court Tuesday. Their anticipatory bail pleas were rejected and they were remanded in police custody for investigation into the matter.

Read | Poet gets Rs 1 crore notice for cost of police deployment in UP for CAA protest

“Based on a complaint by a BJP leader, the case was registered under Section 505 of the IPC. Siraj and Rajabaxi surrendered before the court on Tuesday. An investigation is underway,” said Gangavati Deputy Superintendent of Police B P Chandrashekhar.

The Anegundi Utsava was being organised after a gap of five years and was inaugurated by Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa, along with Deputy CM Laxman Savidi and Karnataka Cultural Affairs Minister CT Ravi on January 9.

First uploaded on: 19-02-2020 at 14:01 IST

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