Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM/EP)
Udupi, Mar 6: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal along with other like-minded outfits held a bike rally here on Friday March 6 ahead of the Virat Hindu Samajotsava scheduled to be held on March 9 at MGM grounds as part of VHP's golden jubilee celebrations.
The rally was flagged off at Malpe by former MLA Raghupati Bhat, after garlanding of the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
The bike rally passed through Citizen Circle, Kalmady - Adiudupi - Karavali bypass road - Ambalpady - Brahmagiri - Jodukkate, KM Marg - service bus stand - Kalsanka - Manipal - Parkala and culminated at MGM ground, the venue of the Samajotsava.
Addressing the gathering, VHP Udupi district unit president said, "Hindu Samajotsava is not about religion, it is for India. Hence all Hindus should unite for this event. It is also to propogate Hindu religion and dwell on why we need to protect it."
Manohar V Shetty, Achuth Kalmady, Yashpal Suvarna, Prashant Amin and others were present.
Around 2,000 people participated in the bike rally.
Though banners of the event show that VHP chief Pravin Togadia would be the main speaker at the Samajotsava, it is not yet certain if he would be attending, sources said.
Security beefed up
On the day of the Samajotsava, a grand procession as will be held from Jodukatte at 2 pm.
The procession will pass through Lions Circle, Diana Circle, K M Marg, Hanuman Circle, Service Bus stand, Shiribeedu Junction, city bus stand, Kalsanka, Kadiyali and will reach MGM grounds via Kunjibettu road.
The convention to be held at MGM grounds is expected be attended by thousands of people.
The police have taken up tight security measures to ensure a peaceful Samajotsava. Six DySPs, 20 CPIs, 75 PSIs, 145 ASIs, 1005 head/police constables, 48 women police, 100 home guards, 15 KSRP and 24 DAR personnel will be assigned at the venue in order to maintain law and order.
Also, quick response teams (QRT) in the district will also be utilized. CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the programme. Also, 22 check posts have been installed on the border of the district and other places.
Liquor will be banned all over the district from 6 am on March 9 to 6 pm on March 10. Suitable arrangements are made to prevent untoward incidents during Hindu Samajotsava and superintendent of police (SP) Annamai has requested citizens to maintain peace.