Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 10: Muneer Katipalla, convener, Dakshina Kannada District Secular Parties and Organizations Joint Forum, Mangaluru, has sought against MLAs, right-wing leaders for "communalising" Diganth missing case. The delegation has demanded strict legal action against those involved.
In a memorandum submitted to the police, the forum stated, “The case of the missing teenager, Diganth, a resident of Farangipete in Bantwal taluk, reached a positive conclusion with his safe return. The commendable efforts of the police department in locating Diganth have been appreciated.
“However, from the moment Diganth's disappearance became public, right-wing organisations including the Bajrang Dal and prominent BJP leaders allegedly attempted to give the case a communal twist, aiming to create discord between communities. Without any substantial evidence, narratives were spun suggesting ‘Diganth was kidnapped, and the Muslim community was behind the incident’, with similar statements given to the media.
“There were also baseless allegations targeting Muslim-majority areas in Farangipete, accusing them of harbouring ‘drug addicts, peddlers, and criminals’, effectively criminalizing an entire community and fuelling prejudice.
“In addition, protests and bandhs were organised based on communal lines, putting undue pressure on the police department and accusing them of bias towards ‘criminal communities’. During the Farangipete bandh, BJP MLAs Bharat Shetty and Harish Poonja, along with local right-wing leaders, allegedly delivered hate speeches, making unfounded accusations against the Muslim community and inciting communal tension. They reportedly portrayed Muslim-majority areas as dangerous and linked the community to drug and crime activities.
“These actions are said to violate the secular spirit of the Constitution and the rule of law. Given the communal sensitivity of areas like Farangipete, Bantwal, and Mangaluru, such activities could potentially lead to serious conflict and unrest.
“The ‘Dakshina Kannada District Secular Parties and Organisations Joint Forum’ urges the police department to take suo motu action and file cases against MLAs Bharat Shetty, Harish Poonja, Bajrang Dal leader Bharat Kumbdhelu, and others for inciting communal conflict and labelling an entire community as criminal,” stated the memorandum.