The Karnataka High Court has granted an interim stay on further proceedings against Public TV anchor and reporter Arunkumar Badiger, who was booked over remarks made during a televised debate on reservation, social justice and the Delhi student protests.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, sitting as a single judge, passed the order after examining the transcript of the programme and the legal principles governing speech made during a debate. The Court observed that a discussion on reservation policy could not, by itself, be treated as a criminal offence.
The proceedings arose from an FIR registered at Nelamangala Rural Police Station on August 12, 2026, following a complaint by Ananthakumar D R. Badiger has been booked under Sections 196(1), 353(1) and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating, among other things, to promoting enmity and making statements allegedly causing public alarm.
Badiger had anchored and moderated an episode of Public TV’s Big Bulletin telecast on July 25 concerning the Delhi Students Protest. During the discussion, questions were raised about the impact of reservation on education, employment and promotions.
The complainant alleged that the remarks generalised and questioned the capabilities and qualifications of beneficiaries of the reservation system and could create prejudice among members of the public.
Seeking quashing of the proceedings, Badiger argued that the remarks were interrogative comments made while moderating a policy debate and were directed at the consequences of reservation policy rather than any particular community. The plea also contended that criticism or questioning of a State policy is protected by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Justice Nagaprasanna relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in Bilal Ahmed Kaloo v. State of UP (1997), noting that mere expression of opinion or criticism of a policy does not amount to promoting enmity between groups.
The High Court accordingly stayed further proceedings against Badiger and issued emergent notice to the complainant, returnable on August 28, 2026.
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