Pratap Simha: Difference between revisions

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== Controversies ==

Described as "temperamental", Simha's tenure as an MP was marked by several controversies. He was a vocal against [[government of Karnataka]]'s birthday celebrations of [[Tipu Sultan]] starting 2015. He voiced that Sultan could be a "role model only for Islamists" and that the Chief Minister [[Siddaramaiah]] was "encouraging [[Jihadist]]s" in the State.<ref>{{cite news|title=BJP MP Pratap Simha opposes Tipu Jayanti, says Tipu can be a role model only for Islamists|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tipu-sultan-jayanti-tyranny-mysuru-vhp-rss-bjp-mp-pratap-simha-1070201-2017-10-23|accessdate=11 January 2018|work=India Today|date=23 October 2017}}</ref> In 2017, against this backdrop, and police's prohibitory orders against taking procession of [[Hanuman Jayanti]]'s organizers in [[Hunsur]], a town in his constituency, Simha was arrested after he violated the prohibitory orders.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pratap Simha among several arrested in Hunsur ahead of Hanuma Jayanthi|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/pratap-simha-among-several-arrested-in-hunsur-ahead-of-hanuma-jayanthi/article21253923.ece|accessdate=11 January 2018|work=The Hindu|date=3 December 2017}}</ref> In a widely circulated video, he was seen subsequently threateningquestioning the police officials and questioningfor their intent of "restricting" celebration of festivals of the [[Hindu]] faith,<ref name="news18"/> and barging through the barricade in his car.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Sayeed|first=Vikhar Ahmed|title=Polarisation game|url=http://www.frontline.in/the-nation/polarisation-game/article10008832.ece|magazine=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|issue=18 January 2018|accessdate=11 January 2018}}</ref>

In February 2017, Simha received criticism after he compared Gurmehar Kaur, a student of [[Delhi University]] who spoke against the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]], a student body affiliated to the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], to gangster [[Dawood Ibrahim]].<ref>{{cite news|title=BJP MP Pratap Simha compares DU student Gurmehar Kaur with Dawood|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/feb/27/bjp-mp-pratap-simha-compares-du-student-gurmehar-kaur-with-dawood-1575379.html|accessdate=11 January 2018|work=The New Indian Express|date=27 February 2017}}</ref>

Simha courted controversy again in November that year while making statements against actor [[Prakash Raj]] after the latter questioned Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s silence following "certain killings" in the country. Simha had tweeted, "Being sad due to son's death, having left your wife and ran behind a dancer, Mr. Raj, do you have any right to say anything to Yogi, Modi".<ref>{{cite news|title=Actor Prakash Raj sends legal notice to BJP MP Pratap Simha over alleged trolling|url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/actor-prakash-raj-sends-legal-notice-to-bjp-mp-pratap-simha-over-alleged-trolling-4225423.html|accessdate=11 January 2018|work=Firstpost|date=24 November 2017}}</ref> He was subsequently sent a legal notice to by Raj calling for an unconditional public apology, and that failing which he would "press criminal charges" against him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prakash Raj issues legal notice to MP Pratap Simha|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/prakash-raj-issues-legal-notice-to-mp-pratap-simha/article20746220.ece|accessdate=11 January 2018|work=The Hindu|date=24 November 2017}}</ref> He agreed to Prakash raj comments and apologized publicly for his conduct{{cite news |title =aplology |url= https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bjp-mp-pratap-simha-apologises-prakash-raj-derogatory-social-media-post-2017-106853}}