Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi (HB/SB)
Mangaluru, Jan 5: VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders on Friday January 5 were arrested after they staged a road blockade near Besant Women's College close to PVS junction here.
The VHP and Bajrang Dal were protesting against the murder of right-wing activist Deepak Rao in Katipalla.
The protestors raised slogans against the state government and alleged that Deepak was murdered as a result of the government's 'anti-Hindu policy'.
Addressing the protest, VHP leader M B Puranik said, "The state government is supporting only the minorities. It is not governing according to the tenets of our Constitution. Terror-backed groups have hijacked the government and now they are trying to eliminate Hindus.
"Congress is against the Hindu community. It is indirectly helping the terror groups to eliminate the Hindus," he alleged.
The Barke who swung into action stopped the protest and arrested leaders like Jagadish Shenava, M B Puranik, Sharan Pumpwell and hundreds of other VHP and Bajrang Dal activists. They were later released.
Udupi
Activists of BJP and Bajrang Dal staged road blockade at Triveni Circle here on Friday January 5 morning to register their protest against the killing of Hindu activist, Deepak Rao, at Katipalla near Suratkal, Dakshina Kannada district.
Addressing the protesters, former MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, condemned the murder of Deepak Rao in strong words. "In the past, murders of activists used to evoke silent protests. This has now changed into violent reaction. Yesterday, I visited the home of Deepak and my heart melted at the sight of the humble family of Rao and their poor condition. Murders have been happening at places visited by chief minister, Siddaramaiah. We see that a Congress minister from Dakshina Kannada was having lunch in the company of a notorious criminal having links with the murder-accused.
"Law and order situation in the state has collapsed. A well-organized conspiracy to kill Hindu activists is being carried out in the state. Murder of a Hindu activist happened in the constituency represented by minister, Ramanath Rai. Likewise, another murder happened at Moodbidri represented by Congress MLA, Abhay Chandra Jain. Now one more has been killed in the constituency of Mohiuddin Bava. Murders have been happening at regular intervals in constituencies represented by Congress legislators. We very strongly condemn these murders," he stated.
Zilla panchayat vice president and BJP women's wing district president, Sheela K Shetty, speaking on the occasion, wondered whether the state government is functioning in Karnataka. She denounced autocratic style of the current government and condemned the murder of Deepak Rao. She also alleged that the murders are handiwork of supporters of chief minister, Siddaramaiah and wanted to know who is responsible for this state of affairs. "The plan to eliminate Hindu activists is being carefully drawn. Youth from poor families are singled out for these murders. These murders are happening clandestinely. Don't the Hindus have the right to live here? Murders have been happening at regular intervals, and I want to know from the government what action it has taken in respect of each of these murders," she stated.
Tight police security had been arranged at the spot of the agitation. A few buses were diverted during the period of the road blockade. The participants were symbolically arrested, taken in vehicle, and released later.
State BJP secretary, Yashpal Suvarna, Bajrang Dal convener, Dinesh Mendon, Vishwa Hindu Parishad city unit president, Santosh Kumar Bolje, former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president, Suprsad Shetty, and activists of different pro-Hindu organizations took part in the protest.