Why an FIR was filed against actor Chetan

However, in recent times he has been at the center of controversy. Several complaints have been filed against actor and activist Chetan in Karnataka for his statements about a cultural practice depicted in the film, and on Saturday October 22, Bengaluru police filed a complaint against him under Section 505 (2 ) of the Indian Penal Code (Statements creating or inciting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes). Police registered a case after Shiva Kumar, head of Bajarang Dal Bangalore North filed a complaint.

Here’s what you need to know about the controversy.

What is the movie kantara on?

Kannada actor and director Rishab Shetty stars in the film, which has been dubbed into Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

The fictional story is inspired by the shared relationship between forests and human beings and takes place over almost two centuries. In 1847, a king seeking peace of mind finds himself in a forest, where he miraculously finds her in the form of Panjurli, a divine spirit who protects the forest and its inhabitants. He then asks the forest dwellers to let Panjurli go home with him and, in turn, gives them rights to the forest land.

The film then cuts to the 1990s, when a forestry officer wants to declare the forest a “reserve forest”, a bureaucratic term virtually unknown to residents. Meanwhile, a descendant of the king has become the “owner” of the forest dwellers, and Shetty plays their unofficial young leader. Shetty is also a descendant of the family who traditionally practice “Bhoota Kola”, a form of animist worship widely practiced on the Karnataka coast. The current issue is with the Bhoota Kola.

What is Bhoota Kola?

Bhoota Kola is an annual ritual performance where local spirits or deities are worshipped. A person performing the ritual is believed to have temporarily become a god himself. This artist is both feared and respected in the community and is believed to give answers to people’s problems, in the name of god. There are several Bhootas who are worshiped in the Tulu language belt of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts. It is usually practiced in small local communities and rural areas.

What is the controversy?

During an interview, Rishab Shetty said that the practice of Bhoota Kola is part of Hindu culture. It is part of Hindu culture and rituals. I am Hindu and believe in my religion and customs which no one can question. What we have said is through the element that is present in Hindu dharma.

Actor-turned-activist Chetan Kumar, however, said that Bhoota Kola is not part of Hindu tradition but of indigenous people who are Adivasis, and was hijacked by Aryans who came to India during of recent years.

In a tweet, Chetan said: Glad our Kannada movie ‘Kantara’ is making national waves. Director Rishab Shetty claims that Bhoota Kola is a “Hindu culture”. Fake. Our Pambada/Nalike/Parawa Bahujan traditions predate Vedic-Brahmanic Hinduism. We ask that Moolnivasi cultures be shown with the truth on and off screen.

Glad our Kannada Kantara movie is making national waves

Director Rishabh Shetty claims Bhootha Kola is a Hindu culture

Fake

Our Pambada/Nalike/Parawas Bahujan traditions predate Vedic-Brahmanic Hinduism

We ask that Moolnivasi cultures be shown with the truth on and off screen

— Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / (@ChetanAhimsa) October 18, 2022

Chetan has long been vocal on socio-cultural issues and is a familiar face in the welfare movements of farmers, workers, Dalits and Adivasis. He has spoken out for rehabilitation of victims of endosulfan poisoning (2013), securing homes for evicted tribals from Kodagu, Karnataka (2016) and, more recently, for separate religious status for Lingayats. In February this year, Chetan was arrested for his alleged remarks against a Karnataka High Court judge who heard hijab in school cases.

The land of Karnataka has its own culture, tradition and history even before the Hindu religion started. Bhoota Kola and other practices are part of Adivasi culture and have been around for thousands of years, he added. Rishab Shetty replied, “No comments. I shouldn’t answer. When I was making this film, these people who practiced this culture were with me and I was very careful. I come from the same region and I know it. But still, I don’t want to comment on this because only the people running it have the right to speak.

What were the reactions to these statements?

Chetan received backlash from many quarters over his statement, especially from right-wing Hindu activists.

The head of Sri Rama Sene, Pramod Muthalik said that kantara represents Hindu culture and tradition. “Chetan does not know the culture and tradition of the land. He is an atheist and a communist. He is one of those “intellectuals” who criticize the country’s culture. He is trying to spoil the peace of society,” he added.

However, Chetan also received support from Dalit organizations. The Dalit leader and former mayor of Mysuru City Corporation Purushothama told a press conference that the Dalit and backward communities stand with Chetan. Furthermore, Kannada writer KS Bhagwan in Mysuru said on Saturday that worship was not part of the culture, but was introduced by Aryans who came from Central Asia 3,500 years ago and then the Vedic culture also came into being. He said that Chetan is correct that the native or original descendants did not practice Bhoota Kola but only started after Vedic practices entered India.