Telangana Police on Monday said Telugu film critic and actor Mahesh Kathi was not allowed to enter Hyderabad for six months, The News Minute reported. The police had booked Kathi for allegedly making statements that “disrespected” Hindu deities.
In June, several Hindu organisations had filed a complaint with the police accusing Kathi of making derogatory statements against Hindu gods Ram and Sita during a television show. The police booked Kathi for intending to outrage religious feelings and committing deliberate and malicious acts under the Indian Penal Code.
Director General of Police M Mahendar Reddy said Kathi had been taken to Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh, where he is originally from. “Kathi Mahesh has been externed from Hyderabad city for the next six months under the Telangana Prevention of Anti-Social and Hazardous Activities Act,” Reddy told reporters.
The police official a showcause notice was issued to the Telugu TV channel’s management for telecasting “malicious content hurting religious sentiments” and asking them why they should not be prosecuted.
“The members of the broadcasting channels are requested to act with a sense of responsibility,” Reddy said. “The media channels cannot be permitted to act as platforms for nurturing and promoting divisive tendencies among various groups based on caste, community and religion leading to law and order problems, which is a violation of law.
Reddy said his department had decided to take action against anyone that “disturbs the peace in the state or city”.
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