Maharashtra-based Hindu leader Harshita Thakur, 6 others booked for provocative gesture against Ansari dargah in Belagavi

HUBBALI: A complaint was registered against Maharashtra-based Hindu leader Harshita Thakur for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and promoting communal disharmony, at the Akhanda Hindu Sammelan procession, at Machhe village, outskirts of Belagavi, on Sunday.

According to the complaint, Thakur, who was travelling in an open vehicle as part of the procession, allegedly made a hand gesture mimicking the act of shooting an arrow towards the Ansari Dargah near Peeranawadi when the yatra passed the spot.

The gesture was allegedly accompanied by slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram', and it allegedly hurt the religious sentiments of the other community.

Based on a complaint lodged by Abdul Khader Mujawar of Peeranawadi, Belagavi Rural police registered a case against Harshita Thakur and six others under sections related to insulting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between communities.

Akhanda Hindu Sammelan was organised at Machche village on Sunday evening, preceded by a grand procession.

Besides Thakur, the organisers of the Sammelan—Supreeth Simpi, Shrikant Kamble, Bettappa Tarihal, Shivaji Shahapurkar, Gangaram Tarihal, and Kallappa—were also named in the complaint for allegedly delivering speeches that could incite communal sentiments. Police said further investigation is underway.