Pratap Simha is an Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was elected as MP from Mysore in Karnataka in 2014 and 2019. Previously, he worked as a journalist at Kannada Prabha. He is the former President of Yuva Morcha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Karnataka.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Pratap Simha was born on Monday, 21 June 1976 (age 47 years; as of 2023) in Belur town, Hassan district, Karnataka, India. His Zodiac sign is Cancer. Since his formative years, he had a strong ideological orientation towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He obtained a MA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Mangalore University, Karnataka in 1999. [1]MyNeta Thereafter, he started working as a journalist, publishing pro-right-wing and anti-left-wing articles which eventually led to his association with BJP.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is B.E. Gopal Gowda. His mother’s name is Pushpa. His brother, Vikram Simha, was arrested by Sakleshpur police on charges of gambling in 2015.
Pratap Simha with his mother
Pratap Simha’s brother, Vikram Simha
Wife & Children
On 18 November 2010, he got married to his girlfriend Arpitha Simha. Earlier, Arpitha worked as a medical officer, but later, she became a homemaker. Together, they have a daughter named Vipanchi Simha.
Pratap Simha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his wife, Arpitha Simha, and his daughter
Relationships/Affairs
Pratap and Arpitha first made acquaintance at a function and soon started dating. Their families agreed and they got engaged. On 2 August 2009, Arpitha suffered an accident and lost her left leg. Thereafter, Arpitha’s father asked Pratap to cancel the marriage, but he insisted on marrying her saying that he had already considered her his wife. [2]The BACK Benchers – Facebook
A picture of Pratap Simha with his wife, Arpitha Simha, showing her prosthetic leg
Religion
Pratap Simha follows Hinduism.
Pratap Simha doing pooja
Caste
He belongs to the Vokkaliga community, a group of closely-related castes, from the Indian state of Karnataka. [3]News18 Vokkaliga is categorised in the Other Backward Classes in Karnataka. However, it is an influential caste like the Lingayats in the state, which form 16 percent of its population.
Address
His permanent address is 744, 8th Cross Road, 4th Stage, 1st Phase, Vijayanagar, Mysore-570017, Karnataka, India.
Signature/Autograph
Pratap Simha’s signature
Career
Journalism
In 1999, Simha started his career in journalism as a trainee with the Kannada daily Vijaya Karnataka. Over time, the right-wing cocolumnistent on to become the newspaper’s lead editorial writer under the editorship of Vishweshwar Bhat. His column, titled “Bettale Jagattu” (The naked world), strongly advocated for Hindutva ideology and criticized those who opposed it. Later, Simha worked for the daily Kannada Prabha, owned by the independent Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekar. Simha resigned from Kannada Prabha in April 2014 before beginning his electoral campaign.
Politics
Simha forayed into politics as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pratap Simha
In the 2014 general elections, he contested and won the Mysore Lok Sabha constituency defeating INC candidate Adagur H. Vishwanath. Summing up his feeling after winning the seat, in an article, he said,
With three days to go for the election, my opponent realised the writing was on the wall. He rehashed old tabloid stories to spread canards about me. But it was in vain. When counting day dawned, I had a lead over him in every round of counting, eventually getting over five lakh votes, the first time it’s happened in Mysore for any candidate. In 33 days, I had gone from columnist to parliamentarian.”
MP Pratap Simha
Simha was one of 28 members who were appointed to the Council by the government. Of the total, 20 members were journalists, five were drawn from the two houses of Parliament, and three represented the cultural sphere. In 2016, he became the President of Yuva Morcha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Karnataka. He was re-elected as MP from Mysore in 2019 defeating INC candidate C. H. Vijayashankar.
Controversies
Booked for Threatening Journalist
In 2015, a complaint was filed against Prathap Simha at Kadri police station for allegedly threatening a Mangaluru-based journalist named Shreyas H S and abusing him in filthy language over the phone. A case was registered under IPC Sections 504 and 507. In his complaint, Shreyas alleged that Simha had posted a Facebook comment favouring actor Salman Khan, who was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in a hit-and-run case. Simha’s comment read “his contribution to the industry and the needy outweighs his unintentional but terrible mistake.” Later, Shreyas published an article titled “Don’t hound him just coz he is Salman Khan, says MP Prathap Simha in FB post.” Subsequently, he posted a link to the article in a tweet tagging Simha’s Twitter account. According to the complaint, Simha tweeted: “Idiot, don’t spread falsehood here” in reciprocation and called the journalist to threaten him. Thereafter, Simha denied that he had issued a murder threat to the journalist. [4]The Hindu
Arrested for Defying Prohibitory Orders on Hanuman Jayanti Celebration
Claiming CM Siddaramaiah was Encouraging “Jihadists” in Karnataka
In 2017, Simha stirred controversy by saying that ‘Tipu Sultan can be a role model only for Islamists,’ and that the Siddaramiah-led government was holding Tipu Jayanti for vote bank politics and to encourage Jihadists in Karnataka. The young MP also said that “celebrating Tipu Jayanti is like Forest Department celebrating Veerappan Jayanti.” He also called Tipu a “coward” who “hid from the British.” [7]India Today
Criticized for Comparing DU Student to Dawood Ibrahim
In 2017, Simha faced backlash for comparing a Delhi University student named Gurmehar Kaur to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. His tweet came after Gurmehar launched a campaign “#studentsagainstabvp” against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Ramjas College violence.
Gurmehar Kaur’s picture on Twitter holding a placard with the slogan ‘I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP.’
In February 2017, ABVP disrupted the Ramjas Literary Society function allegedly throwing bricks and shouting slogans forcing the college to cancel the event where JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid had been invited to speak. This led to clashes between ABVP and DU students led by members of AISA and SFI who launched a protest demanding action against the ABVP members who had disrupted the function. [8]Firstpost. Simha posted an image on Twitter with pictures of Gurmehar Kaur on one side and Dawood Ibrahim on the other. In the image, the girl is holding a placard which read,
Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him”
Meanwhile, Dawood is seen holding a notice which read,
I didn’t kill people in 1993, bombs killed them.”
Pratap Simha’s tweet comparing Gurmehar Kaur to Dawood Ibrahim
Making Defamatory Statements Against Actor Prakash Raj
In November 2017, actor-politician Prakash Raj sent a legal notice to Pratap Simha over his tweet in which he had posted a link with the caption,
Being sad due to son’s death, having left your wife and ran behind a dancer, Mr. Raj, do you have any right to say anything to (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi (Adityanath), (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi.”
Simha’s tweet came in reciprocation to Prakash Raj’s criticism of Modi for his silence about journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder, who was shot dead on 5 September 2017, and for following some Twitter users who were celebrating the murder. [9]The Hindu
Justifying his tweet, Simha said that he had only retweeted the article. He said,
Even Twitter mentions that retweets don’t necessarily mean endorsements. I had only retweeted an article.”
Prakash Raj filed a defamation case against Simha after the BJP MP did not respond to his legal notice demanding he tenders an unconditional public apology and withdraws the post. Thereafter, Simha apologised to Prakash Raj via a tweet, which read, [10]Pratap Simha – Twitter
Dear @prakashraaj, I had posted a derogatory article against u n your family on 2 & 3rd October 2017. However I understand these were unwarranted n hurtful. Therefore, I unequivocally withdraw n regret Twitter n FB post.”
Misogynistic Remark Against Geetha Mahadeva Prasad
In 2017, Simha received immense criticism for his misogynistic remark against H. S. Mahadeva Prasad’s widow Geetha. During a political campaign, Simha said that Geetha Prasad was contesting the by-election for the greed of power. [11]Deccan Herald He said,
She enjoyed all the powers when her husband was a minister. Soon after performing the final rituals of Mahadev Prasad, Geetha has joined politics in pursuit of power.”
At that time, Geetha was contesting the Gundlupet by-elections. Criticising Simha for his remark, Geetha, during an election campaign in the constituency, said,
MP Pratap Simha has once again proved that BJP has no respect for women by making humiliating comments against me. The MP’s remarks are an insult to women and they will teach the party a lesson in the by-election.”
Later, Simha expressed regret over his “derogatory” remarks and retracted his words. He said he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments and was only alluding to the common practice of political parties fielding the spouse as the candidate for elections to win public sympathy when the incumbent MLA dies. [12]The Hindu
Criticised for Hate Speech Against Stray Dogs
In February 2023, Pratap Simha received criticism from animal enthusiasts after he suggested that the issue of stray dog attacks could be resolved by eliminating them without any compassion. [13]The Indian Express Simha’s statement came after a distressing incident in Telangana, where a group of dogs attacked a five-year-old child. Speaking to the media, he said,
You stop reporting and remain silent on stray dogs and allow us to take some action to resolve the stray dog problem. We are unable to take any action because of animal lovers. They realise the problem when stray dogs bite their children. Feeding stray dogs will not bring any good and it is not as big a social service as they try to project it as.”
He also shared his personal experience of being chased by a stray dog, an incident that led to a road accident. His statement infuriated members of People For Animals (PFA), who wrote a post on Instagram, which read,
BJP MP Prathap Simha @pratapsimha_mp of Mysuru, in a press conference has recommended “killing of all pups as soon as they are born” and further stated that if the press does not expose him, he will do it. He has also attacked citizens that merely perform their constitutional duty of feeding animals. This is disgusting and hate speech, spreading violence for no reason.”
Parliament Security Breach
On 13 December 2023, a security breach occurred in Parliament when two men, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped inside the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery carrying gas canisters. The incident took place on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 parliament Attack.
A picture of the Lok Sabha filled with smoke during a security breach on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament Attack
After an investigation, it was found that a visitor pass was provided to Sagar under Pratap’s name. Pratap later discussed the matter with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and stated that Sagar Sharma’s father, a resident of his constituency, had requested a visitor pass to tour the new Parliament building. Pratap added that Sagar’s father was in constant touch with his office and personal assistant for the visit. When issuing such a pass, Parliament members must give an undertaking that they personally know the person, but Pratap claimed he had no additional information beyond what he had already shared. [14]India Today
An image of the visitor pass which was issued to Sagar Sharma under Pratap Simha’s name
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 2011, he received the second highest civilian honour of the Karnataka ‘Rajyotsava Prashasti’ in the category of media conferred upon him by the Karnataka government. He became the youngest journalist to receive the award.
- In 2008, he Aryabhata Award for column writing for Bettale Jagattu.
Car Collection
He has a Hyundai i20.
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Cash: Rs. 28,000
- Deposits in Banks, Financial Institutions, and Non-Banking Financial Companies: Rs. 2,34,325
- LIC or other insurance Policies: Rs. 82,503
- Personal loans/advance given: Rs. 4,27,078
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 3,25,545
- Laptop: Rs. 34,550
- Double Barrel 12 Bore gun: Rs. 20,000
- N Bore pistol 0.32 caliber CZ: Rs. 30,000
Immovable Assets
- Residential Buildings: Rs. 52,05,000
Note: The given estimates of moveable and immovable assets are according to the financial year 2018-19. It does not include the assets owned by his wife and dependents. [15]MyNeta
Net Worth
His net worth in 2019 was Rs. 21,75,220. It does not include the net worth of his wife and dependents. [16]MyNeta
Facts/Trivia
- Simha has authored two books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including an unofficial biography titled Narendra Modi: Yarroo Tuliyada Haadi (Narendra Modi: The Untrodden Road) in 2008 and Modi Muslim Virodhiye? (Modi: Is he anti-Muslim?). Other books penned by him include collections of his columns Bettale Jagattu and Tipu Sultan: A Freedom Fighter?.
Cover of the book Modi Muslim Virodhiye? (Modi: Is he anti-Muslim) by Pratap Simha
- When the BJP held the national executive meeting in Bangalore in 2008 after winning the Karnataka elections, Simha’s editor Vishweshwar Bhat sought an interview with Modi. He agreed and said, “Come with Pratap.” Modi had met Pratap before once. However, this time he hugged Pratap and said,
Aao bhaiyya, kya kamaal kar diya!”
The laudatory lines by Modi were in reference to Pratap’s book Narendra Modi: Yarroo Tuliyada Haadi. Back then, it was the first biography, introducing Modi to Karnataka.
- When Simha decided to foray into politics in 2014 he wrote to Team Modi expressing his desire for a ticket to contest the Udupi-Chikamagalur constituency, because his family had deep connections there. Additionally, his columns were very popular in the area. However, a combination of factors, including the reluctance of some party bigwigs, led him to contest from Mysore.
- Simha first caught public attention in 2012 when Bangalore police arrested 11 people who were allegedly conspiring to attack a set of rightwingers. Reportedly, Simha was one of the main targets of the group. The Bangalore Police was acting on the inputs from Andhra Pradesh counter-intelligence authorities who had gathered the information after several weeks of monitoring the mobile phone activities of the conspirators. During a press conference, Bangalore Police Commissioner Jyothi Prakash Mirji told that the arrested youth were in regular touch with Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehadi-al-Islami (HUJI) operatives in Saudi Arabia in connection with the alleged plot. [17]The Indian Express However, in February 2013, all of the accused were released due to lack of evidence.
- In June 2015, he was appointed as a member of the Press Council of India.
