Chetan Kumar @ Chetan Ahimsa
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A brief biography
As in 2023 March
Kiran Parashar, March 24, 2023: The Indian Express
Born and raised in the United States, Chetan graduated from the Yale University in South Asian studies. He came to India in 2005 for research as a Fulbright scholar and worked in association with the National School of Drama, Bengaluru.
Chetan made his debut in Kannada cinema in 2007 with the film “Aa Dinagalu”, which became a hit. He has since worked in about 8 more films in lead roles so far.
His family is settled in the United States, where his brother had contested elections for the Green Party.
Chetan has always been outspoken on a range of public issues, taking a stand against corruption, communal politics and fascism. He has been a known face in various movements for the rights of farmers, workers, Dalits and Adivasis. A staunch B R Ambedkar follower and socialist, Chetan is known for his anti-establishment and pro-Kannada credentials. He had been associated with the campaigns for the rehabilitation of endosulfan victims (2013), securing homes for tribals evicted from Kodagu (2016) and, more recently, for a separate religion status for Lingayats.
Chetan was also involved with the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE), an organisation formed to address the issues of women, writers and workers in the Kannada film industry. Although he barely gets any support from any political party even in the Opposition ranks, a social media campaign has now followed Chetan’s arrest with several activists questioning it.
A forum for linguistic rights, Promote Linguistic Equality, tweeted: “Feel sorry for @ChetanAhimsa. Though he is a US citizen, he gave up all the luxury and came back to Karnataka because of his love for Kannada, Kannadiga and Karnataka. He is speaking for our rights and against all the injustice in society. Our system has not been fair to him.”
A social media post went viral stating that there were no FIRs registered when BJP leader KS Eshwarappa made “hate speeches” and when higher education minister CN Ashwath Narayan made “finish off” Siddaramaiah (Congress leader and ex-chief minister) remark. It also stated that despite the seizure of crores of “unaccounted” cash from his premise, BJP MLA Virupakshappa Madal was still not arrested.
When the 40-year-old Kannada film actor-activist, Chetan Kumar alias Chetan Ahimsa, was arrested Tuesday by the Bengaluru police from his residence, it marked his second arrest in the last 13 months.
In the latest instance, the police arrested Chetan on the basis of a Bajrang Dal activist Shivakumar’s complaint that he allegedly hurt religious sentiments with his tweet on Hindutva. A local court remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.
On Monday, Chetan had alleged that “Hindutva is built on lies”, tweeting as its examples Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar’s statement on Indian nation besides claims that “Babri Masjid is birthplace of Rama” and that “Urigowda-Nanjegowda are killers of Tipu Sultan”. He stated that Hindutva can be “defeated by truth, which is equality”.
In February last year, Chetan was arrested by the police for allegedly tweeting against a sitting high court judge hearing the hijab case. He had then spent six days in prison – including on his birthday that falls on February 24.
Interestingly, in October last year, Bajarang Dal activist Shivakumar had also lodged a complaint against Chetan over his statement on Kantara movie that “Bhoota kola”, the ritual which is part of the movie, was not part of Hindu culture but of Adivasis.
April: OCI card cancelled
April 16, 2023: The Times of India
BENGALURU: The Centre has revoked the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card given to Kannadiga-American actor and social activist Chetan Kumar on the grounds that his "activities are inimical to the interest of general public". A vocal critic of right-wing politics, Chetan was arrested three weeks ago for his tweet that said "Hindutva is built on lies…".
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) communicated the OCI cancellation and directed him to return the card. Known also as Chetan Ahimsa, he said Saturday the move was an attempt to silence activists and create fear among those who question the government. He said he will approach the Karnataka high court soon.
"It is unfortunate that I got the letter on April 14, the day the nation celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti. My fight for equality and against superstition, religious disharmony and other disturbing issues have clearly sent some individuals and governments into panic mode. But I will approach the court, seeking a stay order," he said.
The letter from FRRO stated that Chetan should return his OCI card within 15 days of receiving the letter. "In June 2022, FRRO had issued me a show-cause notice, seeking an explanation on my comments against judges and why my OCI should not be cancelled. I had replied saying I lived in India for many years and was married to an Indian. My social activism has been wrongly viewed," Chetan quoted in his reply to the FRRO notice.
