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Chetan Kumar

Chetan Kumar, also known as Chetan Ahimsa (born February 24, 1983), is an American actor working in Kannada-language cinema and a social activist.^[1] A graduate of Yale University, Kumar relocated from the United States to Karnataka, India, in 2005, where he began his acting career with a debut role in the 2007 film Aa Dinagalu.^[2]^[3] He has since appeared in supporting roles in films such as Suryakaanti (2010), Dashamukha (2012), and Myna (2013).^[4] Kumar's activism focuses on issues including caste discrimination, farmers' rights, Dalit welfare, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy, often positioning him as a critic of social hierarchies in India.^[5] In March 2023, he was arrested by Bengaluru police for a tweet asserting that Hindutva ideology "was built on lies," charged with promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds.^[6]^[7] Weeks later, India's Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled his Overseas Citizen of India status, rendering him liable for deportation as a U.S. citizen without permanent residency rights in the country.^[7]^[8]

Early life and background

Family origins and upbringing

Chetan Kumar was born on February 24, 1983, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents of Lingayat descent originating from Chitradurga district in Karnataka, India.^[9]^[10] His father, Basavalinga Amar Kumar, is a surgeon, and his mother also pursued a medical career, reflecting the family's emphasis on professional achievement following their immigration to the United States.^[9]^[11] This immigrant dynamic involved balancing American opportunities with the preservation of Kannada linguistic and Lingayat cultural traditions, including devotion to the 12th-century reformer Basavanna, whose egalitarian principles later influenced Kumar's worldview.^[10] Raised primarily in Chicago, Kumar experienced an American upbringing centered on formal education and urban life, yet his household maintained robust connections to Karnataka through familial heritage and Kannada proficiency.^[12]^[11] The family's Lingayat roots, tied to Chitradurga's historical and religious landscape, instilled a sense of cultural continuity amid diaspora challenges, such as navigating identity in a non-native environment while upholding caste-reformist values inherent to Lingayatism.^[10] From an early age, Kumar diverged from his parents' medical trajectory, displaying inclinations toward humanities over clinical pursuits, which foreshadowed his eventual pivot to expressive and socially oriented fields.^[13] This tension highlighted generational shifts within the family, where immigrant success in STEM professions contrasted with Kumar's emerging affinity for narrative and performative arts rooted in his bicultural exposure.^[11]

Education and influences

Chetan Kumar attended Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in South Asian Studies with an emphasis on Comparative Theater Studies in 2005, graduating with distinction.^[14] His coursework immersed him in Western liberal arts traditions, including analyses of cultural performance and societal structures, alongside global human rights frameworks that critiqued hierarchical systems.^[15] This academic environment, known for its interdisciplinary approach to humanities and social sciences, provided foundational exposure to discourses on inequality and emancipation.^[12] In the summer of 2004, while still an undergraduate, Kumar secured grants from Yale University to investigate the intersections of caste, class, and gender within South Indian folk and dramatic traditions, producing work that examined these dynamics in village and urban contexts.^[13] This research marked an early scholarly engagement with anti-caste ideologies and Dalit perspectives embedded in regional literature and performance arts, predating his relocation to India.^[16] The comparative theater focus of his studies cultivated oratory and performative abilities, skills Kumar adapted to Kannada-language expression through prior cultural immersion, despite his U.S. upbringing.^[17] These elements—blending empirical cultural analysis with rhetorical training—laid groundwork for his subsequent public advocacy, though direct causation remains tied to his pre-India academic pursuits rather than later activism.^[10]

Professional career in film

Acting debut and roles

Chetan Kumar made his acting debut in the Kannada film Aa Dinagalu in 2007, directed by K. M. Chaitanya and based on the non-fiction novel Daadaagiriya Dinagalu by Agni Sridhar, portraying the character Chethan Naayak in a crime drama depicting 1980s Bangalore underworld events.^[18]^[19] The film received critical acclaim for its realistic narrative, and Kumar won the Udaya Film Award for Best Actor in a debut role.^[19] Following his debut, Kumar appeared in supporting roles in films such as Birugali (2009), Suryakanthi (2010), and Dashamukha (2012), often in productions exploring interpersonal conflicts and societal undercurrents rather than mainstream commercial vehicles.^[13]^[4] His performance as Satyamurthy in Myna (2013), a thriller directed by Nagashekhar, marked a significant breakthrough, earning praise for authentic character portrayal amid the film's focus on pursuit and justice themes.^[13]^[3] Kumar's film roles remained selective through the 2010s, including appearances in Noorondu Nenapu (2017) and Mass Leader (2017), with his output diminishing as public attention shifted toward his non-acting endeavors.^[20]^[3] These contributions, characterized by modest commercial success but noted for grounded Kannada dialogue and thematic depth, primarily served to establish his visibility in the industry prior to a pronounced pivot away from frequent acting assignments.^[1]^[19]

Shift toward activism through cinema

Following his relocation to Karnataka in 2005 after graduating from Yale University, Chetan Kumar debuted in Kannada cinema with the 2007 film Aa Dinagalu, a crime biopic that earned him recognition for his acting.^[2] Over the subsequent decade, he appeared in approximately eight films, including Dashamukha (2012), Myna (2013), and Noorondu Nenapu (2017), selecting roles that allowed him to integrate themes of social inequality and cultural identity.^[12] ^[3] Kumar explicitly aimed to use these platforms to foreground caste-related discussions, arguing in interviews that mainstream Kannada films provided an opportunity to challenge entrenched hierarchies by portraying marginalized perspectives authentically.^[21] Kumar increasingly incorporated indigenous cultural practices into his cinematic advocacy, such as emphasizing Bhoota Kola rituals—spirit worship traditions of coastal Karnataka—as elements predating and distinct from Brahminical Hinduism, rather than subsuming them under broader Hindu narratives.^[22] This approach reflected his broader effort to highlight pre-Hindu tribal and folk elements in films, positioning cinema as a medium for reclaiming non-dominant cultural histories amid caste inequities.^[23] By the mid-2010s, as his film output tapered, Kumar pivoted toward institutional reform within the industry itself, founding the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) in 2017.^[24] FIRE sought to address workplace inequities, including gender-based harassment, exploitative contracts for workers and writers, and lack of safety protocols, advocating for systemic changes like investigative committees modeled on Kerala's Hema Commission.^[25] ^[26] This transition marked Kumar's evolution from performer to industry critic, where he deprioritized commercial scripts in favor of leveraging his visibility for tangible reforms, viewing cinema not merely as entertainment but as a tool for equity. By 2017, with fewer acting commitments, he channeled efforts into FIRE's campaigns, which included petitions signed by over 150 industry members pushing for policy interventions against abuse and discrimination.^[25] This phase solidified his role as a public intellectual using cinematic infrastructure to amplify calls for structural change, even as it drew internal industry resistance.^[22]

Lingayat religious independence campaign

Chetan Kumar emerged as a vocal supporter of the Lingayat movement seeking official recognition as a distinct religion separate from Hinduism, framing it around the 12th-century egalitarian reforms of Basavanna and the Sharana tradition's rejection of Vedic rituals and caste-based hierarchies.^[15] He argued that Lingayat dharma, rooted in the Vachana literature—over 1,200 extant poems by Sharana saints emphasizing personal devotion to Shiva (as Ishtalinga) without priestly intermediation or ritual purity laws—constitutes a self-contained spiritual system empirically distinct from Hindu scriptural integration.^[27] This advocacy highlighted historical evidence, such as Lingayats' enumeration as a separate religious group in the 1871 Mysore Census and the 1881 British Indian Census, where community leaders were classified apart from Hindus.^[27]^[28] In the 2010s, particularly intensifying from 2017, Kumar joined public campaigns and rallies to petition for a dedicated census category, critiquing the assimilation of Lingayats into the Hindu fold as a post-independence administrative imposition that diluted the Sharana principles of social equality and anti-Brahminical autonomy.^[29] He publicly aligned with pro-separation Lingayat seers, such as those invoking census precedents to assert independence, while addressing community demographics—Lingayats numbering approximately 10-12 million in Karnataka alone, forming a substantial non-Hindu bloc—to underscore the need for accurate representation without subsuming under broader Hindu identity.^[28] At events like the 2017 Lingayat conventions, Kumar urged political neutrality in religious matters, emphasizing empirical fidelity to Basavanna's casteless vision over unified Veerashaiva-Lingayat frameworks that retained internal matha-based hierarchies.^[30] Kumar's efforts contributed to the Karnataka government's 2018 recommendation to the central census authority for separate Lingayat status, though implementation stalled amid opposition from unified Veerashaiva factions and national Hindu organizations viewing it as divisive.^[29] He maintained that true causal adherence to Vachana empiricism—prioritizing direct spiritual experience over inherited Vedic cosmology—necessitated independence, cautioning against romanticized unity that ignored historical schisms and ongoing intra-community power structures like pontiff-led institutions.^[27] This stance drew criticism from conservative Lingayat leaders but aligned with data-driven arguments for preserving the tradition's original anti-hierarchical ethos against assimilationist pressures.^[15]

Kadugolla caste identity advocacy

Chetan Kumar, known as Chetan Ahimsa, spearheaded a campaign in 2017–2018 to secure state recognition for the Kadugolla community as a distinct ethnic group in Karnataka, arguing that their subsumption under broader shepherd castes like Kuruba diluted access to targeted affirmative action benefits.^[31] The Kadugollas, traditionally nomadic pastoralists reliant on sheep rearing and forest grazing, have faced socioeconomic marginalization exacerbated by land encroachment, urbanization, and loss of traditional livelihoods, with community surveys indicating persistent poverty rates exceeding 50% in rural pockets of districts like Chitradurga and Tumkur.^[32] Kumar invoked historical records, including colonial-era gazetteers documenting Kadugollas as separate from settled Kurubas due to their forest-dependent mobility, to substantiate claims of unique backwardness warranting independent classification under Other Backward Classes (OBC) Category I rather than competition with 95 other castes.^[31] The advocacy involved grassroots protests and petitions to Karnataka authorities, culminating in partial state acknowledgment of Kadugolla identity for administrative purposes, though full Scheduled Tribe (ST) status remains pending due to insufficient central documentation.^[33] Kumar criticized government classifications as influenced by dominant caste lobbies within shepherd communities, asserting that empirical data on Kadugolla-specific disadvantages—such as lower literacy rates (around 40% per 2011 census extrapolations) and minimal representation in public sector jobs—necessitated recategorization to prevent reservation dilution.^[32] He emphasized causal factors like historical exclusion from land reforms and ecological shifts reducing grazing areas by over 30% in southern Karnataka, urging evidence-based policies over politically expedient mergers.^[31] These efforts aligned with broader community agitations, including demands for dedicated caste certificates since 2016, but Kumar's role focused on identity preservation to enable equitable resource allocation.^[34]

Anti-caste and tribal rights efforts

Kumar has positioned himself as an advocate against caste-based hierarchies, framing Brahminism as the foundational cause of systemic inequality in Indian society. In June 2021, he released a video denouncing Brahminism for perpetuating caste discrimination, clarifying that his critique targeted ideological structures rather than individuals from specific communities.^[35] Drawing from B.R. Ambedkar's writings, he has promoted an Ambedkarite perspective that emphasizes dismantling graded inequalities through rationalist and egalitarian reforms, often invoking Ambedkar alongside figures like Buddha and Basava to argue for the abolition of inherited social privileges.^[12] ^[6] In parallel, Kumar has linked anti-caste efforts to linguistic and cultural preservation, opposing Hindi imposition as a threat to regional identities and federal diversity. During a 2022 public statement amid debates on cultural representation, he asserted that both Hindi linguistic dominance and broader ideological uniformities undermine Karnataka's distinct traditions, advocating instead for pluralism rooted in local autonomy.^[36] On tribal rights, Kumar spearheaded rehabilitation drives for Adivasi communities displaced by forest conservation measures. In late 2016, he campaigned for Jenu Kuruba and other evicted groups in Diddalli, Kodagu district, highlighting evictions from reserve forests that disrupted traditional livelihoods without adequate relocation; this effort contributed to state directives for rehabilitation and the construction of 528 homes for affected families.^[37] ^[38] ^[39] He has continued supporting Adivasi claims under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, including participation in 2025 actions in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve where tribals asserted ancestral land rights amid ongoing eviction disputes tied to wildlife protection priorities. ^[40] These initiatives underscore his emphasis on empirical documentation of development-induced displacements, such as forest department encroachments on pre-existing habitation, as causal factors in community marginalization.^[41]

Film industry equality initiatives

In 2017, Chetan Kumar co-founded the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE), a non-governmental organization aimed at fostering safer workplaces and addressing inequalities affecting women, workers, and writers in the Kannada film industry, commonly known as Sandalwood.^[24]^[42] FIRE's initiatives include advocating for regulatory reforms to mitigate harassment and power imbalances, with early successes such as securing better labor protections for industry workers in 2018.^[43] Kumar has criticized systemic issues in Sandalwood, including opaque casting processes and unequal pay structures exacerbated by unchecked influence of powerful figures.^[25] In September 2024, through FIRE, he demanded the Karnataka government establish an investigative panel akin to Kerala's Hema Committee to probe sexual violence and gender-based discrimination, highlighting the absence of empirical data on such abuses in the state and referencing Kerala's 2019 report as a model for transparency and accountability.^[26]^[44]^[45] He emphasized that bans on individuals fail to address root causes, urging structural reforms over punitive measures.^[25] Kumar's efforts extend to challenging dominant cultural narratives in Kannada cinema that marginalize indigenous practices. In October 2022, he contested claims that the Bhoota Kola spirit worship ritual—depicted in the film Kantara—constitutes part of Hindu tradition, asserting it originates from pre-Vedic Adivasi and Bahujan customs of communities like the Pambada, Nalike, and Parawa, independent of Brahminical Hinduism.^[23]^[46] This stance seeks to promote accurate representation of non-Hindu tribal elements, countering industry tendencies to assimilate them under broader Hindu cultural ownership and thereby advocating for equitable portrayal of marginalized groups' heritage.^[47]^[48]

Philanthropy and community service

Disaster relief operations

In August 2018, Chetan Kumar participated in relief efforts for the floods in Kodagu district, Karnataka, amid heavy rainfall that displaced thousands and caused significant infrastructure damage.^[49] He organized direct distribution of essential supplies to affected communities, bypassing slower governmental channels to ensure timely aid.^[50] Similar hands-on coordination occurred during the 2019 floods, where Kumar tracked logistics for village-level aid delivery, with over 4,000 people rescued in prior operations highlighting the scale of recurring vulnerabilities tied to inadequate drainage and hillside development.^[50] ^[49] Post-relief activities emphasized practical self-reliance measures, such as community training in basic preparedness, to mitigate future risks from poor infrastructure without relying on extended external support.

Rural education programs

Chetan Kumar began contributing to rural education in September 2005 by volunteering as an instructor at a government school in Mullur village, approximately 25 kilometers from Mysuru in Karnataka's underserved rural regions.^[12]^[13] This initiative focuses on enhancing instructional quality rather than expanding infrastructure, with Kumar personally delivering lessons to students from kindergarten through tenth grade.^[15] His teaching emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and discussions of current events to promote independent evaluation of information among rural youth, conducted independently of formal government programs to avoid bureaucratic dependencies.^[13] By integrating these subjects into the local curriculum, the program aims to address gaps in standard rote-learning approaches prevalent in Karnataka's rural schools, where access to such skills training remains limited.^[51] Kumar's efforts continued post his entry into acting and activism, maintaining a sustained presence without reported reliance on external funding or partnerships.^[2] Outcomes include anecdotal improvements in student engagement, though independent metrics on enrollment growth or dropout rates specific to this intervention are unavailable in public records; success is gauged qualitatively through enhanced reasoning abilities observed in participants.^[13] The model prioritizes Kannada-medium delivery to align with regional linguistic contexts, fostering cultural relevance without incorporating ideological elements from Kumar's broader activism.^[15]

Pandemic response activities

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Chetan Kumar coordinated distributions of essential ration kits and food packets through the Chetan Foundation, targeting marginalized communities in Karnataka whose incomes had been disrupted by lockdowns. These efforts focused on tribal populations in remote areas and urban workers such as crematorium staff, delivering supplies directly via on-ground volunteers to address immediate food shortages in affected regions.^[52] The foundation's activities, active from May through June 2021, emphasized practical, localized aid to vulnerable groups including scheduled tribes and low-income laborers, bypassing broader supply chain delays by leveraging community networks for efficient delivery during heightened restrictions. Distributions occurred in multiple locations across the state, including Yadgir and Bengaluru, prioritizing those in high-need zones impacted by mobility curbs and economic halt.^[53]^[54]^[55] Kumar's initiatives complemented these material supports by advocating for specific protections for frontline pandemic workers, such as crematorium staff, through direct appeals to state authorities for insurance and priority access to medical resources, highlighting gaps in support for essential but overlooked roles.^[56]

Controversies and legal issues

Public statements and arrests

In February 2022, Chetan Kumar was arrested by Bengaluru police for a tweet criticizing Justice Krishna S. Dixit of the Karnataka High Court, who was hearing petitions challenging a ban on hijab-wearing in educational institutions.^[57] The tweet, posted on February 16, highlighted Dixit's prior remarks in a rape case as "disturbing" and questioned his suitability for the hijab proceedings.^[58] He faced charges under Indian Penal Code sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), which are non-bailable.^[59] Kumar was granted bail on February 25 after spending several days in custody.^[60] On March 21, 2023, Kumar was arrested again from his Bengaluru residence over a tweet posted the previous day stating, "Hindutva is built on lies and it can be defeated by truth, and that truth is equality."^[61] The statement, which condemned the ideology associated with Hindu nationalism, prompted a complaint alleging it insulted religious beliefs.^[62] He was charged under IPC sections for outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity between classes, and insulting religion.^[63] A court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody before granting bail on March 23 upon furnishing sureties.^[64] Kumar's social media activity has repeatedly drawn legal scrutiny, including two FIRs filed in June 2021 for statements denouncing Brahmanism, though these did not result in arrest.^[65] Such posts, often targeting ideological or institutional figures, have positioned online platforms as a medium for his critiques, frequently escalating to criminal complaints under laws addressing communal harmony and public order.^[10]

OCI status revocation and court battles

In March 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status of Chetan Kumar, a US citizen and Kannada actor-activist, under Rule 35(2) of the Citizenship Rules, 2009, citing his involvement in "activities which are prejudicial to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India" and "anti-India activities."^[7]^[65] The revocation notice, dated March 28, 2023, required Kumar to surrender his OCI card within 15 days and restricted his entry into India to a maximum of 90 days per visit on a tourist visa, effectively limiting his long-term residency privileges.^[66]^[67] Kumar, who holds OCI since acquiring US citizenship in 2012 after renouncing Indian citizenship, attributed the decision to his activism, including public criticisms of Hindutva ideology, though the ministry deemed his response to a prior show-cause notice "unsatisfactory."^[68]^[67] OCI guidelines under the Citizenship Act, 1955, permit revocation for foreign nationals of Indian origin if their actions undermine national security or public order, a threshold applied in fewer than 200 cases annually as of 2022 data from the Ministry of Home Affairs, often involving documented security concerns rather than solely ideological expressions. Kumar contested the revocation in the Karnataka High Court, arguing it was politically motivated amid his advocacy on caste and religious issues, and lacked specific evidence of threats to sovereignty beyond his social media activity and protests.^[24] The government countered that Kumar's visa history, including multiple extensions tied to his OCI, did not exempt him from scrutiny, emphasizing empirical links between his public statements and potential disruption to India's internal harmony.^[69] On April 21, 2023, a single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the revocation order, granting Kumar protection from deportation and requiring him to delete tweets criticizing the judiciary or sub-judice matters while refraining from further commentary on the case.^[70]^[71] The stay was extended until June 2, 2023, allowing the court time to review affidavits from both parties on the merits of "anti-national" classification under OCI rules, which prioritize verifiable threats over broad interpretive claims.^[72] As of available records, the petition remains pending, with no final adjudication reported, underscoring ongoing debates on balancing OCI privileges—intended for diaspora contributions—with enforcement against perceived disloyalty, absent criminal convictions in Kumar's case.^[73]^[74]

Criticisms of ideological positions

Critics, particularly from Hindu nationalist perspectives, have accused Chetan Kumar of employing anti-Hindu rhetoric that undermines community unity by emphasizing caste divisions over shared national or religious cohesion. For instance, his March 20, 2023, tweet stating that "Hindutva is built on lies" and can be defeated by the "truth" of equality was interpreted by complainants as outraging religious feelings and promoting enmity between religious groups, fracturing Hindu solidarity in favor of caste-based critiques.^[75]^[76] Similarly, Kumar's June 2021 video denouncing Brahminism as the "root of caste inequality" drew FIRs for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Brahmins, with opponents arguing it sows discord within Hindu society by vilifying specific communities rather than addressing inequality through inclusive frameworks.^[35]^[77] Kumar's advocacy for recognizing Lingayats as a separate religion has faced rebuke from traditionalist viewpoints as an unsubstantiated push for separatism that weakens the integrated Hindu tradition. In a March 20, 2018, tweet, he asserted that "Lingayats never been Hindus since 12th century inception," positioning the community outside Hinduism to highlight its anti-caste origins under Basavanna.^[27] Detractors contend this ignores historical evidence of Lingayat integration within Hinduism, including vachana literature's devotion to Shiva—a core Hindu deity—and centuries of assimilation under Shaivite practices, as documented in scholarly analyses emphasizing shared scriptural roots over radical dissociation.^[78] Such positions, critics argue, prioritize sub-community identity politics, potentially eroding broader Hindu unity without empirical backing for full religious autonomy.^[79] Opponents have pointed to the Kannada film industry's muted response to Kumar's arrests—such as the lack of organized protests following his March 2023 detention—as tacit acknowledgment of his ideological provocations, viewing it not as solidarity but as reluctance to endorse divisive activism.^[80] This silence aligns with observations that Kumar has distanced himself from mainstream filmmaking since prioritizing activism around 2017, resulting in a stalled acting career with no major releases post-controversies, which detractors attribute to self-inflicted isolation rather than external suppression.^[29]^[80]

Ideological views and debates

Ambedkarite and anti-Hindutva stances

Kumar espouses Ambedkarite principles, identifying as a follower of B.R. Ambedkar's Navayana Buddhism and advocating its non-violent application to foster equality, justice, and rationality in society. He aligns with Ambedkar's call in Annihilation of Caste (1936) for the total eradication of the varna system, interpreting it alongside E.V. Ramasamy Periyar's views as targeting the entire birth-based hierarchy, not merely untouchability. Kumar has stated that Ambedkar and Periyar aimed to dismantle the full caste apparatus perpetuating inequality and dominance by privileged groups.^[81] To address the empirical persistence of caste hierarchies in modern India, Kumar supports data-driven measures, including mandatory acknowledgment of birth caste in national censuses to quantify disparities and inform policy. He argues this initial step enables structural interventions—such as redistributive reforms and institutional changes—to uproot entrenched inequalities, rejecting superficial solutions like mere education or awareness campaigns that fail to disrupt birth-based social orders. In a May 5, 2025, statement, he outlined that eradicating caste requires "first acknowledge our birth caste in all caste censuses, then govt must bring in structural" reforms. This approach privileges verifiable demographic data over ideological assertions, highlighting how varna legacies manifest in contemporary access to resources, education, and power.^[82] Kumar's anti-Hindutva position frames the ideology as founded on historical distortions that obscure pre-Brahminical egalitarian traditions, such as those of 12th-century reformer Basavanna and Bhoota Kola practices predating dominant Hindu frameworks. He contends Hindutva ignores evidence of Buddhist sites destroyed for Hindu temples, thereby legitimizing inequality under a veneer of cultural continuity. On March 20, 2023, Kumar tweeted that "Hindutva is built on lies and it can be defeated by truth, and that truth is equality," listing specific claims by proponents as falsehoods that entrench division rather than resolve it. This critique posits Hindutva as a selective narrative incompatible with causal analysis of India's diverse historical timelines, where reformist movements challenged hierarchical impositions. Influenced by his Yale University education and Fulbright scholarship, Kumar defines Indianness through active contributions to egalitarianism, dismissing it as neither a birthright nor passport privilege but a merit earned via efforts against inequality. This cosmopolitan outlook prioritizes universal principles of justice over nativist or ancestral claims, positioning social reform as the true measure of belonging in a pluralistic society.^[51]^[15]

Responses from traditionalist perspectives

Traditionalist scholars and organizations, such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), argue that Lingayat reforms initiated by Basava in the 12th century constitute an internal purification of Hinduism rather than a basis for separation, emphasizing the sect's rejection of caste hierarchies while retaining core Shaivite devotion to Shiva through ishtalinga worship and vachana ethics that parallel broader Hindu reformist traditions like Bhakti movements.^[83] They cite the consistent classification of Lingayats under Hinduism in Indian censuses, including the 2011 enumeration where over 95% of Karnataka's population identifying as Lingayat fell within the Hindu category, as evidence against demands for distinct religious status that could dilute cultural unity.^[84] Regarding Hindutva, conservative thinkers frame it as an organic assertion of civilizational continuity against historical threats from Islamic invasions and colonial disruptions, which decimated Hindu populations through conversions and temple destructions estimated at over 80% in medieval India by some historians. Post-2014, under BJP governance, proponents highlight measurable security gains, including a decline in Jammu and Kashmir terror incidents from 417 in 2013 to 94 in 2023, attributed to proactive measures like the 2016 surgical strikes retaliating to the Uri attack that killed 19 soldiers and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes following the Pulwama bombing of 40 personnel, alongside a 70% reduction in infiltration attempts after Article 370's abrogation.^[85]^[86] Critics within traditionalist circles further contend that Kumar's U.S.-born background and lack of indigenous upbringing compromise his authority to deconstruct entrenched Indian traditions, viewing such activism as disconnected from the pragmatic realities of maintaining social cohesion amid demographic pressures, where external perspectives often prioritize abstract egalitarianism over historically evolved cultural resilience.^[51] This outsider lens, they argue, overlooks how internal adaptations like Lingayat egalitarianism have strengthened rather than supplanted Hinduism's adaptive framework.

Recognition and legacy

Awards received

In recognition of his early scholarly contributions to understanding caste, class, and gender dynamics in South Indian folk theatre, Chetan Kumar received a Fulbright Scholarship in 2005, enabling a year of fieldwork in Karnataka in collaboration with the National School of Drama, Bengaluru.^[6]^[87] For his performance as the lead in the 2007 Kannada film Aa Dinagalu, a portrayal of 1980s Bangalore's underworld based on real events, Kumar was awarded the Udaya Film Award for Best Debut Actor Male, acknowledging his breakthrough entry into Kannada cinema.^[1]^[19]

Impact and ongoing influence

Chetan Ahimsa's activism has contributed to heightened public discourse on caste-based discrimination in Karnataka, particularly through his involvement in Dalit and Adivasi movements advocating for equitable resource distribution and cultural recognition.^[10] His efforts in rural outreach, including collaborations with local communities, led to the 2014 prohibition of ajjal paddhathi, a coercive practice targeting indigenous tribal women for ritualistic sex work, marking a verifiable local policy shift against exploitative traditions.^[2] While broader legislative changes on caste categories remain unlinked to his direct influence, his platforms have amplified Ambedkarite critiques of hierarchical structures, fostering grassroots awareness among marginalized groups without evidence of systemic policy alterations.^[88] As of 2025, Ahimsa sustains advocacy amid resolved legal challenges, including the stayed revocation of his Overseas Citizenship of India status, by engaging in public events and online campaigns promoting rationality, non-violence, and alternative power structures to inequality.^[89] His social media presence, with over 125,000 Instagram followers and 47,000 on X (formerly Twitter), targets youth demographics through videos and posts dissecting caste dynamics and Hindutva ideologies, encouraging empirical scrutiny over traditional narratives.^[90] ^[91] This digital reach has sustained his relevance, evidenced by ongoing solidarity with organic farming movements and equality forums, though measurable shifts in youth mobilization metrics, such as participation in anti-caste protests, lack comprehensive data.^[92] Ahimsa's legacy appears poised to emphasize empowerment for Dalit and tribal communities via rationalist advocacy, yet empirical assessments reveal trade-offs: gains in localized protections like the ajjal paddhathi ban contrast with criticisms that his anti-Hindutva positions exacerbate social divisions, potentially undermining broader cohesion without corresponding unity-building outcomes.^[88] Independent analyses of similar activist interventions suggest short-term awareness spikes but limited long-term behavioral changes in inter-caste relations, underscoring the causal challenges in equating vocal critique with societal transformation.^[93]

References

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Chetan Kumar: Height, Age, Wife, Girlfriend, Biography - Filmibeat
The Chetan Kumar's was born in Chicago. What is the Chetan Kumar date of birth? The DOB for Chetan Kumar was 24 Feb 1983. What is Chetan ...
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Film star Chetan Kumar Ahimsa faces deportation from India for ...
May 12, 2023 · American-born actor and activist Chetan Kumar Ahimsa did the opposite, moving to the South Indian state of Karnataka in 2005 after graduating from Yale ...
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Chethan Kumar - IMDb
Chethan Kumar. Actor: Aa Dinagalu. Chethan Kumar is known for Aa Dinagalu (2007), Athiratha (2017) and Myna (2013).
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Chetan Kumar Movies List: Kannada Actor - Chiloka
Movies List · 1. Myna[Actor]. A 2013 movie by Nagashekhar · 2. Dashamukha[Actor]. A 2012 movie by Ravi Srivathsa · 3. Suryakanthi[Actor]. A 2010 movie by K M ...
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Chetan Kumar: The Indian actor arrested for anti-Hindutva tweet - BBC
Mar 22, 2023 · Chetan Kumar was arrested on Tuesday over a recent tweet where he said the Hindutva ideology promoted by Hindu nationalists "was built on lies".
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OCI status of actor Chetan Kumar cancelled weeks after arrest over ...
Apr 15, 2023 · The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status of actor Chetan Kumar has been cancelled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.<|separator|>
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Actor Chetan Kumar Claims Centre Cancelled His Overseas ... - NDTV
Apr 15, 2023 · Kannada actor and activist Chetan Kumar, popularly known as Chetan Ahimsa, on Saturday claimed that the Centre had revoked his Overseas Citizenship of India ( ...
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Chetan Kumar Height, Age, Girlfriend, Wife, Family, Biography & More
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Chetan Kumar, Kannada actor arrested for anti-Hindutva tweet, is a ...
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Karnataka hijab row: Who is Chetan Kumar? - Hindustan Times
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Chetan Kumar was born in Chicago, IL, USA and did his primary education at Marist High School. He studied South Asian Studies with an Emphasis on Comparative ...Missing: origins Lingayat
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[16]
Jailed for tweet on Hindutva, Kannada actor Chetan Kumar
Mar 22, 2023 · 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 ...
[17]
Chetan Kumar - Bharatpedia
Jun 15, 2022 · Chetan Kumar (Kannada: ಚೇತನ್ ಕುಮಾರ) (born 24 February 1983), also known as Chetan Ahimsa, is an American Kannada-language film actor, ...Missing: birth | Show results with:birth
[18]
https://www.thefederal.com/states/south/karnataka/chetan-kumar-kannada-actor-arrested-for-anti-hindutva-tweet-is-a-rebel-with-a-cause
[19]
Chetan Kumar : Kannada Actor Age, Movies, Biography, Photos
Chetan Kumar (1983-0) is a Kannada Actor known for the movies Aa Dinagalu(2007), Myna(2013), Dashamukha(2012)
[20]
Chetan Kumar - Indian Actor Profile, Pictures, Movies, Events
Chetan Kumar is an Indian actor, who works in the Kannada film industry, known for Dashamukha(2012), Mass Leader(2017), Noorondu Nenapu(2017), Chinnada Gombe( ...Missing: cinema | Show results with:cinema
[21]
'Chetan Kumar Interview: The Kannada Actor Talks about Bringing ...
Jul 21, 2021 · Kannada actor Chetan Kumar welcomes the spotlight on casteism and Brahminism sparked by recent controversies, emphasizing the importance of ...<|separator|>
[22]
The Stoic Silence of Kannada Film Industry Over Chetan Ahimsa's ...
Mar 28, 2023 · When actor and activist Chetan Kumar was arrested by the Bengaluru Police in February 2022, he received support from just a couple of his ...<|separator|>
[23]
'Bhoota Kola not part of Hindu culture': Actor-activist Chetan Kumar ...
Oct 20, 2022 · 'Bhoota Kola not part of Hindu culture': Actor-activist Chetan Kumar rakes up row over Kantara director's remark. Kantara actor-director Rishab ...
[24]
I'm Being Called Anti-national for Challenging the Status Quo
Apr 19, 2023 · Chetan Kumar Ahimsa was arrested and released on bail for allegedly tweeting against Hindutva, on 14 April, his OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card was ...
[25]
Chetan Kumar urges for a Hema Committee in the Kannada film ...
Sep 6, 2024 · Kannada actor and activist Chetan Kumar advocates for the establishment of a committee in the Sandalwood industry akin to the Hema Committee ...Missing: shift | Show results with:shift
[26]
Chetan Kumar calls for Hema Committee-style report for Karnataka's ...
Sep 6, 2024 · Kannada actor and activist Chetan Kumar is pushing for a comprehensive investigation into gender-based issues in Karnataka's film industry, ...
[27]
Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ on X: "#Lingayat debate ...
Mar 20, 2018 · #Lingayat debate points: 1. 'dividing Hindus' Lingayats never been Hindus since 12th century inception. Lingayats not caste.Missing: advocacy | Show results with:advocacy
[28]
Seers use 1881 Census to say Lingayat was a religion
Aug 30, 2017 · Kannada actor Chetan Kumar also joined the chorus. “Let there be no doubt that Veerashaiva and Lingayat are not the same. Veerashaiva is a ...
[29]
'Anti-Hindu' tag on actor, film suffers - Telegraph India
Nov 29, 2017 · Saying he had joined the campaign to make Lingayat a separate religion this August, Chetan added: "I believe in equality and social justice ...
[30]
Chaos at Lingayat meet - Bangalore Mirror
Aug 31, 2017 · Political parties should stay away from religion,” Chetan said. When he repeatedly took Yeddyurappa's name, Shivakumar, a 'fan' of the state ...Missing: Kumar distinct
[31]
Don't let your identity die - Deccan Herald
Jul 3, 2018 · So what happens when the community identity you believe yourself to be a part of does not exist in books? Well, unique stories, cultural ...
[32]
Left out, Kadugolla community in Karnataka still hopes for ST tag
Aug 15, 2023 · The Kadugollas have to fight among 95 other backward castes to join the mainstream, under Category, I quota for education and employment, and ...Missing: 2017 | Show results with:2017
[33]
Karnataka did not provide details on inclusion of Kadugolla in ST ...
Jul 25, 2024 · The Centre on Thursday said that the Karnataka government did not submit supportive documents to consider the inclusion of Kadugolla/Hattigolla/Adavigolla ...Missing: denotification | Show results with:denotification
[34]
'Issue caste certificates to Kadugollas' - The Hindu
May 1, 2016 · The Karnataka Rajya Kadugollara Sangha has decided to launch an agitation to pressure the State government to issue caste certificates to the Kadugolla ...Missing: identity 2017
[35]
Two FIRs against actor Chetan for remarks on 'Brahminism'
Jun 13, 2021 · Mr. Chetan responded with another video, in which he denounced Brahminism as the root of caste inequality in Indian society. In the same video, ...
[36]
Bengaluru police book actor Chetan Kumar over Bhoota Kola remarks
Oct 22, 2022 · Days after actor Chetan Kumar said Bhoota Kola was not part of Hindu customs, the Bengaluru police booked him on Saturday under section 505 (2).
[37]
Chetan's fight for diddalli adivasis continues | Kannada Movie News
Jan 24, 2017 · BT had earlier reported how Sandalwood actor Chetan has been championing the cause of adivasis in Diddalli in Coorg ... tribal rehabilitation and ...
[38]
Kannada actor Chetan Kumar arrested over tweet allegedly hurting ...
Mar 21, 2023 · Seshadripuram police arrested Kannada actor Chetan Kumar for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiment through his tweet.
[39]
CM orders rehabilitation of tribals in Kodagu - Deccan Herald
Dec 20, 2016 · Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday directed officials to immediately rehabilitate tribals who have been displaced from their homes in ...
[40]
Brewing tension in Nagarhole as tribals allege eviction amid FRA ...
it affirms our existing ...
[41]
Why Was Actor Chetan Ahimsa's OCI Card Cancelled? - The Quint
Apr 15, 2023 · Chetan Kumar 'Ahimsa' was recently arrested for tweets opposing Hindutva. ... On 14 April, the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card of Chetan ...
[42]
F I R E
FIRE- Film Industry For Rights & Equality is an NGO founded by actor Chetan Kumar (Ahimsa) that works for betterment of women, workers & writers of KFI.
[43]
Chetan and FIRE's win for Sandalwood's workers - Times of India
Feb 4, 2018 · Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) was established last year in Sandalwood for the upliftment of Women, Writers and Workers.
[44]
"We Want Hema Committee Report Of Our Own": Kannada Actor ...
Sep 6, 2024 · Kannada actor and activist Chetan Kumar has called for a Hema Committee-style report for Karnataka to address gender-based issues in the ...
[45]
https://indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kannada-kishor-chetan-committee-probe-sexual-assault-sandalwood-2593909-2024-09-04
[46]
'No, Bhoota Kola Isn't Part of Brahminic Hinduism': Tulu Scholars on ...
Oct 23, 2022 · ... Bhoota Kola – a form of spirit worship depicted in the film – is part of Hinduism. This led to a rebuttal from Kannada actor and activist Chetan ...
[47]
Kannada Actor Chetan Slams Kantara Star Rishabh Shetty for ...
Oct 20, 2022 · Actor Chetan's tweet comes in response to Kantara director-actor Rishab Shetty claiming that Bhootha Kola was part of Hindu culture.Missing: non- | Show results with:non-
[48]
Explained: The controversy around Bhoota Kola ritual depicted in ...
Oct 25, 2022 · A controversy erupted after Kantara filmmaker Rishab Shetty said that Bhoota Kola was 'part of Hindu culture'.
[49]
Eight killed, over 4,000 displaced after heavy rains in Karnataka's ...
Aug 20, 2018 · As of 3 pm, 4,225 people in Kodagu district have been rescued and brought to safety through joint operations by state and central agencies,” a ...Missing: Chetan | Show results with:Chetan<|separator|>
[50]
Chethan Plaint 395488 | PDF - Scribd
Layout, had worked actively in organizing the relief works during the floods of 2018 and 2019, has been the part of Anti-Hindi imposition movement in. Karnataka ...
[51]
What makes Chetan Indian - Telegraph India
Apr 23, 2023 · The 40-year-old, a Yale scholar who has since ... He subsequently affixed “Ahimsa” to his name. Chetan Kumar Chetan Kumar Ahimsa Activists.<|separator|>
[52]
Kannada actor Chetan Kumar reaches out to tribals with ration kits
May 28, 2021 · Kannada actor Chetan Kumar reaches out ... foundation has been sending ration kits to those whose earnings have dried up due to the lockdown.Missing: Ahimsa distribution
[53]
Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ on ... - X
Jun 15, 2021 · Chetan Foundation continues to serve our most disadvantaged across Karnataka during this ongoing lockdown ... ration kits & food packets to ...Missing: COVID | Show results with:COVID
[54]
Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ on X: "Our social service ...
Jun 24, 2021 · Our social service organization continues its on-ground ration kit distribution to disadvantaged groups across our state Volunteers led by ...Missing: foundation COVID
[55]
Kannada Film Actor Chetan Kumar Fans Helping Needy Families ...
Jun 5, 2021 · Chetan Foundation Team Distributed Ration Kits To Needy Families In Yadgir. Kannada Film Actor Chetan Kumar Fans Helping Needy Families Under ...Missing: Ahimsa COVID<|separator|>
[56]
Kannada actor Chetan writes to Karnataka govt on behalf of ...
May 17, 2021 · The short-term demands include medical insurance, priority for vaccination, priority for hospital beds in case of COVID-19 infection as well as ...Missing: relief activities
[57]
Indian actor arrested for tweet on Karnataka hijab row judge - BBC
Feb 22, 2022 · An Indian actor has been arrested for tweeting against one of the judges hearing pleas against a ban on Muslim girls wearing hijabs in schools. ...
[58]
Indian actor held over criticizing judge hearing challenge to hijab ban
Kumar had said in a tweet: “Justice Krishna Dixit made such disturbing comments in a rape case. Now this same judge is determining whether hijabs (headscarves) ...
[59]
Actor Chetan arrested for critical tweet on HC judge hearing hijab ...
Feb 22, 2022 · The tweet on the judge, Krishna Dixit, was posted on February 16. The police have booked Mr. Chetan under non-bailable offences. The actor was ...Missing: charges | Show results with:charges
[60]
Actor Chetan Kumar gets bail after arrest for tweet on judge hearing ...
Feb 25, 2022 · Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, who was arrested for his tweet that he had posted about one of the judges hearing the hijab issue, was granted bail ...Missing: ban | Show results with:ban<|separator|>
[61]
Indian actor jailed for tweet saying Hindutva is 'full of lies'
Mar 22, 2023 · Police in southern India's Bengaluru city have arrested an actor for a tweet in which he said the Hindutva ideology propagated by hardline Hindu ...
[62]
Kannada actor Chetan Kumar held for tweet condemning Hindutva
Mar 22, 2023 · Kannada film actor and activist Chetan Kumar aka Chetan Ahimsa was arrested on Tuesday from his Bengaluru home and sent to judicial custody ...
[63]
Indian actor jailed for tweet saying Hindutva is 'full of lies'
The actor, who is also an anti-caste activist, has been charged under sections including promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings, reported news agency ...
[64]
Kannada Actor Chetan Kumar Ahimsa Granted Bail in Anti-Hindutva ...
Mar 23, 2023 · Two days after being arrested over an anti-Hindutva tweet, Kannada actor Chetan Kumar was granted bail on a surety of two persons and a Rs ...<|separator|>
[65]
Kannada actor Chetan Kumar's OCI card revoked over 'anti-national ...
Apr 16, 2023 · Kannada actor Chetan Kumar's OCI card revoked over 'anti-national activities' ... He said he will approach the Karnataka high court soon.Missing: COVID- 19 relief
[66]
Karnataka: Actor Chetan gets interim HC relief till June 2
BENGALURU: The High Court of Karnataka gave interim relief to actor and social activist Chetan Kumar by directing the authorities not to precipitate further ...Missing: Kannada | Show results with:Kannada
[67]
Actor Chetan claims Centre has cancelled his overseas citizenship
Apr 15, 2023 · Actor and activist Chetan Kumar Saturday claimed that the Union government has cancelled his Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card and ...Missing: disaster relief operations
[68]
Actor Chetan Kumar's OCI cancelled days after he was arrested for ...
Apr 15, 2023 · In the video, Chetan said that Brahminism is the root of caste inequality in Indian society. He had clarified that he was not against Brahmins ...
[69]
Actor-activist Chetan's OCI card cancelled - Times of India
Apr 16, 2023 · The Centre has revoked the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card given to Kannadiga-American actor and social activist Chetan Kumar.Missing: disaster | Show results with:disaster
[70]
Karnataka HC stays cancellation of actor Chetan Kumar's OCI card
Apr 25, 2023 · A single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, in a hearing on April 21, stayed the cancellation of Kannada actor Chetan Kumar's Overseas Citizen of India ( ...
[71]
Karnataka High Court grants interim protection against deportation ...
Apr 25, 2023 · Karnataka High Court grants interim protection against deportation to actor Chetan Kumar but asks him to delete tweets against judiciary. The ...Missing: battle stay 2024
[72]
Karnataka High Court Extends Stay On Cancellation Of Actor ...
Jun 2, 2023 · Karnataka High Court Extends Stay On Cancellation Of Actor Chetan Kumar's OCI Card. Mustafa Plumber. 2 June 2023 4:23 AM. (1 mins read ). Share ...<|separator|>
[73]
Karnataka HC stays actor Chetan Kumar's OCI cancellation order till ...
Apr 24, 2023 · Karnataka HC stays actor Chetan Kumar's OCI cancellation order till June 2. The actor's Overseas Citizenship of India status was cancelled on ...Missing: battle | Show results with:battle
[74]
Karnataka High Court grants conditional relief to Chetan Kumar after ...
Apr 24, 2023 · The court also granted him protection from any action until June 2. The OCI card is a provision for permanent residency available to persons of ...Missing: battle stay 2024
[75]
Kannada Actor Chetan Kumar Arrested For Objectionable Tweet On ...
Mar 21, 2023 · Chetan Kumar Ahimsa faces charges of insulting a religion or religious beliefs and making statements that promote enmity between classes.Missing: critique Sultan
[76]
Actor Chetan Ahimsa arrested in Bengaluru for saying Hindutva was ...
Mar 21, 2023 · Earlier in February 2022, Chetan was arrested for criticising Justice Krishna Dixit, the Supreme Court judge who was hearing pleas against a ban ...
[77]
Actor Chetan Ahimsa booked over 'offensive' remarks about Brahmins
Jun 11, 2021 · Police have booked Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, also known as Chetan Ahimsa, for making “offensive” remarks about Brahmins in a video that has gone viral on ...Missing: unity | Show results with:unity
[78]
The Veerashaiva-Lingayat Identity Crisis: Why Staying Hindu Makes ...
Sep 10, 2025 · The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community's relationship with Hinduism has deep historical roots that demonstrate centuries of integration within the ...
[79]
If we do not come out of Hindutva, the existence of Lingayats will be ...
Nov 14, 2023 · By making such statements, a dangerous attempt of dividing Hindus is being made. This must be opposed by devout Lingayats in a lawful manner.<|separator|>
[80]
Why Kannada film industry's silence over Chetan Ahimsa's arrest is ...
Mar 24, 2023 · When actor and activist Chetan Kumar was arrested by the Bengaluru Police in February 2022, he received support from just a couple of his colleagues in the ...<|separator|>
[81]
'Both Babasaheb Ambedkar & Thande Periyar did not intend to ...
'Both Babasaheb Ambedkar & Thande Periyar did not intend to annihilate only untouchability but the entire caste system' · The recent derogatory remarks made on ...
[82]
Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ - X
May 5, 2025 · To eradicate caste (inequality), we must 1st acknowledge our birth caste in all caste censuses Then, govt must bring in structural, ...
[83]
BJP to enlist prominent social leaders to oppose demand for ...
Jul 25, 2017 · They also believe that there is not much grassroots support for the demand for a separate Lingayat religion from within the community. “It ...
[84]
Lingayat is a separate religion, says CM Siddaramaiah - Times of India
Oct 6, 2025 · While opposition BJP has been urging Veerashaiva-Lingayats to identify themselves as a caste and strengthen Hindu community in the state, the ...
[85]
Hindutva And Dr Ambedkar - Swarajya
Sep 12, 2015 · But only Hindu nationalists actually understood both the seriousness of the situation as well as the just nature of Dr Ambedkar's reaction.
[86]
Country Reports on Terrorism 2023: India - State Department
2023 Terrorist Incidents: In J&K, 94 terrorism-related incidents resulted in 117 deaths, consisting of 73 alleged terrorists, 30 security personnel, and 14 ...
[87]
Indian American actor, Fulbright scholar and Yale alum Chetan ...
Jan 29, 2015 · Kumar, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, attended Marist High School, and went on to graduate with a BA degree in South Asian Studies with an ...Missing: education | Show results with:education
[88]
Chetan Ahimsa: Why I talk about caste - Deccan Herald
Jun 11, 2021 · For nearly a decade, I have been active on Karnataka's Dalit platforms, fighting alongside anti-caste and Bahujan leaders for an equitable ...
[89]
K'taka HC relief for Kannada actor Chetan, stays order on returning ...
The Union home ministry had cancelled the Overseas Citizenship of India status of Chetan Kumar and he was asked to surrender his OCI card within 15 days.Missing: 2018 | Show results with:2018
[90]
https://www.instagram.com/chetanahimsa/?hl=en
[91]
Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ (@ChetanAhimsa) / Posts / X
47681Followers. ಮನುಷ್ಯ(human): activist & actor fighting for art, equality, justice, rationality, & non-violence. Posts. Chetan Kumar Ahimsa / ಚೇತನ್ ಅಹಿಂಸಾ profile.
[92]
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQOjy67k2l8/
[93]
These Influencers Are Challenging a 3,000-Year-Old Form of Racism
Jul 9, 2021 · Kumar posted three videos that questioned the ancient social order that keeps Brahmins at the top of India's 3,000-year-old Hindu caste system ...