The case has been lodged against the Union minister by Mangalore Mayor Ganesh Hosabettu along with several other people, on Monday (February 16), in the court of City Judicial Magistrate. A city advocate said that the statements by the minister had insulted the people of the area and could lead to hatred amongst people.

Advocate PP Hegde, who filed the case said that complaint has been filed under IPC section 153 (A), 153 (B) and 505 dealing with communally provocative statements, statements against the nation’s integrity and instigation of communal violence, respectively.

A person charged under these sections faces maximum punishment of three years. The case against Chowdhury will be heard on Thursday.

Mayor of Mangalore has already issued notice to the minister on February 12, for withdrawing her statement and apologising to the people. Referring the Indian citizens as Talibans or talibanisation sends a wrong message and it is anti-human, local leaders said.