Activist Chetan Kumar released on bail

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Kannada actor turned - activist Chetan Kumar 'Ahimsa' was granted bail by the 32nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court in the controversial tweet case in the city on Thursday.

The 40-year-old Dalit activist was arrested by the Sheshadripuram police on Tuesday based on a complaint by a Bengaluru North unit Bajrang Dal convenor Shivakumar. In his complaint to the police, Shivakumar had alleged that Chetan's recent Twitter post criticising 'Hindutva' had hurt sentiments of the Hindu community.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was filed under sections 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred, or ill-will between classes) and 295(A) (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings), of Indian Penal code (IPC).

Following his arrest, Chetan was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a city court and according to sources, he had been sent to Parappana Agrahara prison. However on Thursday, he was granted bail with a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and one security by the court. This is the second time in just over a year that Chetan was arrested for a tweet.

Last February, he was arrested for tweeting against a judge who was hearing pleas against a ban on Muslim girls wearing hijabs in schools. He was later released on bail. A US citizen and a Fulbright scholar, Chetan is a fiery anti-caste activist who has taken part in several protests in the state. He had earlier stated that 'Hinduism' and 'Hindutva' are not the same.