Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Dajiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 27: With the district superintendent of police (SP) Annamalai prohibiting him from making any public speech in a protest, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik on Monday July 27 protested against Bollywood actor Salman Khan's statement on Yakub Memon sitting in his car.

Sri Rama Sene on Monday protested against Salman Khan for making statements in support of Yakub Memon who has been sentenced to death in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Following uproar, the actor retracted his statement and apologized. The protestors also condemned AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi for saying that Yakub was being hand because of his religion.

Condemning the SP's order, Muthalik said, "The SP in the name of the state government has not granted me permission to participate in the protest by Sri Rama Sene. I have followed the orders, but it is condemnable that such orders should be given against me.

"Being in a democratic country I do not have the constitutional right to protest within the purview of the law. I will challenge this order in court. I condemn the authoritarian attitude of the state government," he added.

"When film actors make such statements the government should not support them.
Salman's statement is a contempt of court, on top of that his apology was foolish. He enjoy much respect in India, he should not be making such statements," he said.

"There is a rumour that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim has been giving financial support to Salman, and statements like these support such claims. If Salman makes such statements again, everyone should boycott his films. Those who speak in support of terrorists should also be hanged," he demanded.

Asked about why the SP had denied him permission from joining the protest, he said, "This is a well-planned conspiracy to curb Hindu leaders."

Addressing the protest, Sri Rama Sene district convener Gangadhar Kulkarni said, "Intellectuals and personalities like Shatrugan Sinha and Ram Jethmalani are supporting a terrorist by filing petition against Yakub's execution, so we know to what levels terrorism has reached in this country. Terrorists are not from any foreign country - they are within the BJP party itself."

Condemning Salman Khan's statement he said, "Salman Khan should not live in India, let him go to Pakistan. Dawood Ibrahim is supporting Salman, so let him work as a terrorist agent there. The union and state governemnts should take direct responsiblity for terrorism. ISI also is supporting terrorism in India." He also demanded a thorough probe into Salman Khan's 'links' with Dawood Ibrahim.

"We are holding this symbolic protest in order to send a strong message to the government. The nation's security is in danger. Let this be a warning to the government," he said, adding that the President of India should intervene in the matter.

The protestors also demanded removal of Owaisi from the Parliament, and burnt posters of Owasi and Salman Khan.

Mahesh Koppa, Karnataka south province president of Sri Rama Sene said, "Salman Khan's statement itself shows that he favours terrorists. If he makes any such statement again Sri Rama Sene will not allow his films in Karnataka. Also, the court should award death sentence to Asaduddin Owaisi for supporting a terrorist."

Kumar Malemar, Mohan Bhat, Basavaraju Boodihala, Shyam Prasad and others were present.