Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (PS/CN)
 
Mangalore, Jan 10: The district unit of the Popular Front of India (PFI) held a protest in front of the DC’s office on Monday January 9 to condemn the recent incident of hoisting the Pakistan flag in Sindhagi of Bijapur district. Shouting slogans against the act and those behind such incident, the members of PFI condemned it as a plot of the Sangh Parivar to insult Muslims in the nation by accusing them of involving in such acts.
 
Sharif, district president, PFI, Mangalore, addressing the protestors said that the work of police in Sindhagi who arrested the real persons behind hoisting of Pakistani flag is appreciable.

He also urged the police to carry out a thorough investigation into such groups who try to damage harmony in the society and affect the integrity of the nation. “Two years ago, the same incident of the Pakistani flag being hoisted had occurred in Sindhagi. But at that time, the issue was neglected. This time, after their own members hoisted the Pakistani flag, they also held a demonstration to accuse it on Muslim. They also urged the suspension of Tahashildar and police officers. Forcefully, the Sangh Parivar closed the doors of shops to observe a ‘Bandh’. These were all part of creating a communal riot,” he alleged.
 
“Also, the six people arrested are not of Sri Ram Sene, public opinion is that RSS and BJP is behind that act. Political pressure was also increased to prevent their arrest. Moreover, there are allegations of a BJP MLA being involved in the Sindhagi incident,” said Sharif. He urged that the investigations be handed over to the National Investigative Agency and the ban on Sangh Parivar be implemented.

One of the guests on the occasion, G Rajshekar, noted thinker, Udupi district, speaking on the occasion, said that police in Sindhagi deserve appreciation as they did not bow down to any pressure from the RSS or the government. “If this had happened in DK district, since RSS leaders have more influence in the region, the blame would have been on people belonging to the minority community,” he said.

“Sri Rama Sene and RSS have same ideology, thus exchanging of blame is meaningless,” he added and questioned the helplessness of the Congress party in stopping such incidents.
 
Jalil K, president, SDPI, DK district, and Suresh Bhat, president, Komu Sauharda Vedike were present. Razak Kemmara, state committee member, PFI, Karnataka, presided. Ashraf, zonal president, PFI, Bajpe, delivered the vote of thanks. Habeeb compered the programme.
 
Later, the memorandum demanding the ban on the Sangh Parivar by the union home minister was submitted through the DC of DK district.