Hyderabad, March 24 -- The Karnataka police booked a suo moto case against a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former minister Pramod Madhwarajfor allegedly making casteist remarks against the Dalit community.

The case was booked on Saturday, March 22, after Madhwarajreportedly justified an assault on a 43-year-old Dalit woman by five fishermen at the Malpe fishing harbour in Udupi district who accused the woman of stealing fish. The assault took place on March 18.

The following day, a case was filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and BNS 130 (Assault) against the fishermen. They have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

In response to the arrest, protests were held demanding the five fishermen be rel...