BJP leader files criminal complaint against actor Prakash Raj in Tirupati

BJP state spokesperson and TTD trustee board member G. Bhanuprakash Reddy arrives at the court complex in Tirupati on Monday. | Photo credit: KV Poornachandra Kumar

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson G. Bhanuprakash Reddy filed a criminal complaint against actor Prakash Raj in the court of IV Additional Judicial Magistrate First Class for his alleged remarks on Lord Rama and the epic Ramayana.

TTD board member Mr. Reddy arrived at the court complex along with his advocate and party legal wing member K. Ajay Kumar on Monday (June 15, 2026) to file the complaint. The actor’s “outrageous” remarks were reportedly made during the Kerala Literature Festival, which later went viral on social media platforms.

“The comment was malicious in nature and the content was highly inflammatory. The actor has deliberately portrayed the sacred epic Ramayana in a bad light to create outrage among the Hindu community,” he told reporters.

Mr. Bhanuprakash had earlier filed a legal notice against Prakash Raj and also filed police complaints in Tirupati. But because it did not take place, he filed a criminal complaint with the court on Monday.

The complainant also pointed out that Prakash Raj, in his speech, mentioned the “baseless” and “divisive” Arya-Dravidian theory, which fueled regional animosity and undermined the cultural and religious unity of India.

According to him, the statement would attract Section 299 (willful and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious sentiments of any class by insulting its religious beliefs) and Section 196 (promotion of enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence and acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) Bharatiya23 Nyaya.

Published – 15 Jun 2026 20:23 IST