Pic: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jun 19: VHP and Bajrang Dal will hold a 'Bengaluru Chalo' campaign on 22 June, where their members from all over the state will gather at Freedom Park in Bengaluru at 2 pm to protest against the state government over various issues. From Mangaluru, a thousand VHP and Bajrang Dal activists are expected to participate.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday June 19, Jitendra S Kottari said, "The Congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah came to power in the state by a democratic process. But from past two years it has been doing injustice to the majority Hindu community and the Sangh Parivar organisatition.

"In the beginning they (state government) withdrew anti-cow slaughter act, then 'Shaadi Bhagya' scheme was given only to Muslim women, and they also tried to implement Karnataka Anti-Superstition Legislation. In the name of Ahinda school tours on the basis of religion were organized, and attempts were made to bring temples and Maths into government control and 307 cases were registered against hindu organisations and their heads," he said.

"Cases were registered in Mysuru in April 2009 and July 2009 against PFI and KFD members for allegedly attacking the police, besides other crimes. As many as 114 cases were also filed in Shivamogga in 2010 against 1,400 persons in connection with the communal violence that had occurred. These organizations were involved in bomb blast and kidnapping cases. Six months ago the state intelligence department and home minister K J George had planned to ban these organizations but now all of a sudden they withdrew the cases against them," he added.

"Hence we have planned a state-wide protest and in this regard organized 'Bengaluru Chalo' programme on June 22 at 2pm at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. about 10,000 VHP and Bajrang Dal workers will join there and issue a warning to the state government. About a 1,000 workers from Mangaluru will go to the Bengaluru programme in 200 vehicles," he informed.

"On Sunday June 21, buses arranged for VHP members will leave at 10.30 pm to Bengaluru from Managaladevi temple. At 5.30 am on June 22, other members will leave to Bengaluru in cars and other vehicles," he added.

Answering questions from the media, Jagadish Shenava district president of VHP said "Health minister U T Khadar has said they are not taking back all the cases against PFI. We are not against withdrawal of the cases against innocent people but we condemn dropping of all the cases. Sharan Pumpwell has been getting threats of bomb blast through phone. Complaint has been registered in the local police station and bought to the notice of the police commissioner."

Bhujanga Kulal, district convenor was also present.