Pramod Madhwaraj booked for provocative speech during Malpe protest

Malpe: A case has been registered against former minister Pramod Madhwaraj for allegedly making a provocative speech during a protest held at Malpe fishing harbour.

The protest was organized by the Malpe Fishermen’s Association (R) and other major fisheries organizations to address a recent incident in which a woman was tied to a tree and assaulted. The gathering aimed to promote a peaceful and harmonious discussion while also highlighting the challenges faced by fishermen at the harbour.

During his address to the public, Pramod Madhwaraj allegedly justified the act of tying the woman accused of stealing fish to a tree and assaulting her. The speech appeared to defend the assault and encourage similar actions, Udupi police said in a press release.

The police have registered a case against him under sections 57, 191(1), and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Malpe police station under Crime No. 34/2025. Further investigation is underway.