Former VHP leader R.B.V.S. Manian acquitted in hate speech case

The Principal Sessions Court on Tuesday acquitted former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader R. Balavenkata Subramaniyan, widely known as R.B.V.S. Manian, who was arrested by Mambalam police for alleged hate speech in 2023.

He was arrested based on a complaint from a member of VCK, who lodged a complaint stating that Mr. Manian had delivered hate speech and attempted to cause disharmony between two different sections of people. The allegation was that Mr. Manian made a public speech on September 13, 2023 at a public event in T. Nagar, with the intention to lower the image of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman, Constitution Drafting Committee and also made insinuating remarks against SC/ST people. He has also made derogatory remarks in his speech against VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, the complainant claimed.