Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jul 10: Reiterating its demand to sack district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai in the wake of the recent incidents of violence in Dakshina Kannada, the district BJP on Monday July 10 said that both state government and Ramanath Rai were responsible for the cases filed against Hindu leaders and warned that BJP would stage a strong protest if 'fake' cases against Hindu leaders were not withdrawn.

The BJP also alleged that some 'Kerala-based organizations and criminals' are being used to disrupt peace in Bantwal, adding that it was they who pelted stones during the funeral procession of slain RSS worker Sharath in BC Road.

Adressing a press meet at the party office here, BJP district president Sanjeeva Matandoor said, "The state government and district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai are behind the recent filing of cases against Hindu leaders. On top of this, they are trying to file fake cases on more Hindu leaders. It is unacceptable. If this continues, BJP will be compelled to protest in a strong manner,"

"Section 144 has been in force in Bantwal for 45 days now. Still, people of Bantwal and especially BC Road are living in fear. The state government and the district in-charge minister have failed to control the situation. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, the state home department and the district elected representative Ramanath Rai are responsible for all the recent incidents in BC road. They are trying to prevent the dominance of Hindu leaders and organisations in society. But the fact is, drug peddlers, PFI and SDPI are the actual troublemakers. With the help of some Kerala-based organisations and criminals they are disturbing peace of Bantwal. Police themselves have confirmed this. Instead of commenting on these criminals, Congress is trying to place the blame on BJP and Hindu leaders," he alleged.

"For the chief minister's recent visit to Adyar, the police lifted the Section 144 within the city commissionarate. Why did the government not lift the prohibitory orders at the time of Sharath's funeral procession? Close aides of Sharath had gathered for the procession. The Hindu community has done nothing to disturb peace in society. When the funeral procession was reaching its destination, some miscreants from Kerala pelted stones. Police also know this, but they did not go behind them. Instead, the police filed cases against Hindu leaders who took the initiative to hold the procession. The police have booked Satyajit Suratkal, Harish Poonja, Sharan Pumpwell, Murali and Pradeep under Sections 307, 147 and 307 of the IPC. There is a political motive behind this," Matandoor claimed.

"Ministers U T Khader and Ramanath Rai are now taking temples' names to prove their innocence. This is just a gimmick to lure the Hindu community. They are trying to hide their failure in the name of temples. The CM has insulted Dakshina Kannada by saying it is a communally violent district. He is ordering arrest of Hindu leaders. He is not listening to the police version and giving instructions to the police as per the district in-charge minister's whims," he added.

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik said, "Congress is targeting Hindu leaders without any proof. For the first time in the history of Dakshina Kannada, we are experiencing 45-day long prohibitory orders. But despite Section 144 being imposed, criminals are roaming in the district without any fear. It is the failure of law and order. All the recent untoward incidents have happened in Ramanath Rai's constituency. It indicates that he has failed to perform his duty as district in-charge minister."

BJP leaders Nagaraj Shetty, Kishore Rai, Monappa Bhandary, Sudarshan and Dr Y Bharath Shetty were present.