Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 4: Close on the heels of Mangaluru city police denying permission to BJP Yuva Morcha's mega 'Mangaluru Chalo' rally, the Udupi district administration too ordered a ban on all bike rallies from September 5 to September 9.
The BJP Yuva Morcha had planned to hold the 'Mangaluru Chalo' bike rally on September 7, with thousands of BJP members, supporters and activists of right-wing organisations arriving in Mangaluru, with the purpose of demanding ban on PFI, KFD and SDPI over attacks and murders of youths belonging to the majority community.
The Udupi district administration has poured cold water on BJP's plans. According to an order issued by additional deputy magistrate Anuradha on Monday September 4 here, no bike rally of any kind will be allowed in Udupi district between 6 am on September 5 and 6 am on September 9.
Between September 5 and 9, no bike rally can be held in the district. Also, no bike rally will be allowed to enter the district from other places, pass, or leave from the district.
The ban is not just on bike rallies alone. As per the order, organisations, outfits, party workers, activists and individuals are prohbited from taking out rallies, processions or holding public meets or protests during the four days mentioned above.
The district administration has taken this step as a precautionary measure in view of the violence that erupted in Dakshina Kannada recently and the subsequent imposition of Sec 144 for nearly two months. Though Udupi was calm during this time, there are chances that those who participate in the Mangaluru Chalo rally may get provoked and create trouble in Udupi after they return from the rally, hence BJP Yuva Morcha's bike rally has been banned, the district administration stated.
Earlier in the evening, Mangaluru city police denied permission to hold the rally in view of law and order situation. However, BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel asserted that the rally will go on as planned despite the denial of permission and that 20,000 people will participate. He also challenged the state government to try and stop the rally.