A first information report (FIR) has been filed against Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, a BJP MLA from Vijayapura city in Karnataka, for delivering an inflammatory speech during a public event celebrating Shivaji Jayanti. The police took suo motu cognizance of Yatnal's statements made on February 21, 2026, which were perceived as targeting a specific community and disrupting communal harmony. The event followed a grand procession near the Gurumitkal bus stand, where Yatnal served as the chief guest.

The FIR, filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), accuses Yatnal of making derogatory comments about influential historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. In his speech, he controversially referred to Gandhi as the 'father of Pakistan' rather than the nation’s father and labeled Nehru as the 'Prime Minister of Pakistan' instead of India. Such remarks have sparked outrage and concerns regarding communal tension, particularly in a politically sensitive environment.

In addition to the comments about Gandhi and Nehru, Yatnal made inflammatory remarks about Shivaji and the historical context regarding religious conversion during the rule of figures like Tipu Sultan and Aurangzeb. The backlash from these statements highlights the rising polarization in Indian politics and the potential implications for communal relations in the region, raising questions about free speech and accountability among public figures.