‘Insult to Ramayana’: Prakash Raj Served Legal Notice by TTD Member, Faces Criminal Complaint in Delhi.

Prakash Raj Under Fire: TTD Board Member Slaps ₹100 Crore Defamation Notice; Criminal Case Filed Over ‘Derogatory’ Ramayana Remarks.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | April 20, 2026:: Actor Prakash Raj has landed in legal and public controversy following his alleged remarks on Lord Ram and the Ramayana during a recent programme in Kerala, drawing sharp reactions from religious figures, legal representatives, and members of temple administration bodies.

TTD Board Member Sends Defamation Notice

A defamation notice has been issued to the actor by Bhanup Prakash Reddy, a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board. In the notice, Reddy alleged that Prakash Raj made derogatory remarks concerning “Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana,” which he claims have deeply hurt Hindu sentiments.

According to the notice, the actor allegedly stated that Lord Rama and Lakshmana “came from North India to ‘invade’ the South,” which he referred to as “Lanka.” The notice strongly objects to this interpretation, stating:

“By categorising the South as ‘Lanka’ and the North as aggressor, you are willfully inciting regional animosity and promoting the Aryan-Dravidian divide, which threatens national unity.”

The legal notice further accuses the actor of distorting the narrative of the Ramayana, ridiculing Hindu beliefs, and making statements that are “factually incorrect, inflammatory, and capable of creating social discord.”

Reddy has demanded that Prakash Raj issue a public apology within seven days, warning that failure to comply would lead to legal action, including a defamation suit seeking damages of ₹100 crore. The notice also calls upon the actor to refrain from making such remarks in the future.

Academic Voices Demand Apology

Adding to the growing backlash, Dr Hanumanth Lajapathirai, former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University and Director of the Valmiki Research wing affiliated with Ramanarayam temple, issued a statement demanding an “unconditional apology” from the actor.

Dr. Lajapathirai emphasized that Prakash Raj should read the Valmiki Ramayana in its entirety to understand its cultural and societal significance. He described the remarks as “derogatory” and inappropriate, especially given the epic’s foundational role in Indian civilizational thought.

Criminal Complaint Filed in Delhi

The controversy has also taken a legal turn in the national capital. On April 16, advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a criminal complaint against Prakash Raj before the South District Cyber Cell of the Delhi Police.

The complaint invokes multiple provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—Sections 299, 302, 196, 352, and 353—along with relevant provisions of the IT Act. It accuses the actor of deliberately mocking Bhagwan Shri Ram and the sacred Ramayana during his address at the Kerala Literature Festival.

Taking to social media platform X, Sachdeva wrote:

“I will pursue this complaint vigorously, just like the others. Insults to our Bhagwans and Sanatan Dharma will no longer be tolerated. These people must understand — there are limits.”

Context and Escalation

The row stems from Prakash Raj’s remarks during a literary event in Kerala, where his interpretation of the Ramayana—particularly references to geography and the portrayal of North-South dynamics—has been widely criticized as misleading and provocative.

Critics argue that such statements not only distort the epic narrative but also risk fueling regional divisions by invoking the Aryan-Dravidian divide. Supporters of the complaints maintain that public figures must exercise responsibility while discussing religious texts with deep cultural resonance.

Prakash Under Pressure

With a defamation notice, demands for apology from academic circles, and a criminal complaint now on record, the controversy surrounding Prakash Raj appears to be intensifying. The actor has yet to publicly respond to the legal notice or the allegations at the time of reporting.

If no apology is issued within the stipulated timeframe, the matter could escalate into high-value civil litigation and potential criminal proceedings, making it a closely watched case at the intersection of free speech, religious sentiment, and legal accountability in India.

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_Agency Inputs.