Hyderabad: MLC Venkat Balmoor files complaint against actor Srikanth Bharath over Gandhi remarks

Hyderabad: Telangana Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Dr. Venkat Narsing Rao Balmoor has lodged a formal complaint with the Hyderabad City Police seeking action against actor Srikanth Bharath for allegedly making derogatory and provocative comments against Mahatma Gandhi on social media.

Complaint Filed to Hyderabad Crime Station

In a written complaint addressed to the Crime Station, Dr. Balmoor stated that on October 2, 2025, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, he came across a disturbing video that had been widely circulated on social media platforms.

The video reportedly featured actor Srikanth Bharath making offensive remarks about Gandhi during a vacation in Phuket.

Quoting the actor’s alleged comments, the MLC wrote “Chatha musolodo, battathala musolodu notu midha vuntadu kada vadi puttina roju ani mandhu amatledhu ani ego hurt avindhi.”

According to Dr. Balmoor, the statement made by Bharath was “derogatory and disrespectful” toward the Father of the Nation. He further added that individuals with influence and public visibility “carry the responsibility to use their voice and platform to spread positive messages and uphold societal values.”

Allegations of Further Offensive Content

In his complaint, the MLC also cited another video allegedly posted by a Facebook user named Srikanth Krishnaswamy, which he said contained highly objectionable remarks about Gandhi.

According to the complaint, the video described Gandhi as a “pedophile” and a “parasite.”

Dr. Balmoor wrote that such comments were “unacceptable and unethical,” and that they had the potential to “disturb communal harmony and provoke law and order issues.”

Legal Sections Cited

The complaint requested police action under several provisions, including Sections 352 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.

Dr. Balmoor noted that the statements amounted to “intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace in society.”

He also attached links to the alleged videos shared on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram as supporting material in his submission.

MLC’s Statement on Public Responsibility

Highlighting the influence of public figures, Dr. Balmoor stated in his letter “Being citizens of India, we are obligated by the values not to send wrong signals into the society by entertaining derogatory statements against Gandhiji.”

He urged the police to take necessary action “according to law” against those responsible for circulating the content.

Next Steps

The complaint has been filed under reference dated October 11, 2025 from the office of Dr. Venkat Narsing Rao Balmoor, MLC, located at Old MLA Quarters, Hyderguda, Hyderabad. Police officials are yet to issue a formal statement regarding the registration of an FIR or the initiation of an inquiry into the matter.

If verified, the social media posts in question could invite legal action for spreading provocative or inflammatory content under both the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act.