Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jan 29: The district Youth Janata Dal (Secular) led by its president Akshith Suvarna on Monday January 29 submitted an appeal to Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner and the city police commissioner urging action against VHP Dakshina Kannada president Jagadish Shenava for his controversial statement on Basheer's murder.
Jagadish Shenava in a book release ceremony here on Sunday January 28 stirred a controversy when he said that as Basheer was murdered in revenge for Deepak's killing, the VHP was not concerned about it, and even questioned whether it was wrong to kill Basheer in revenge when Sharath Madivala was killed to avenge Ashraf's murder last year.
In the appeal, Akshith Suvarna stated that Jagadish Shenava has justified Basheer's murder with his statement.
"Jagadish Shenava has made a controversial statement at a time when communal tension in the district is going down and things are back to normal. He is now trying to ignite tension again. The district Youth Janata Dal strongly condemns it and urges for strict action against such people," he stated.
Youth Janata Dal organizing secretary Faizul Rehman, secretary Bharath G Hegde, Mohammed Faizul, Suratkal block president Rathish Karkera, Hithesh Rai and Sayyed Ismael were present.
Speaking to reporters later, Akshith Suvarna said, "If Jagadish Shenava wants to make provocative statements, let him sit at home with his family and do that. He should not do it in a public progamme. Such statements result in communal tension and ultimately lead to death of innocent youths. I want to tell him, do not take innocent lives by
stirring communal tension. We have urged the DC to take strict action against him."
In a message to Shenava through the media, he said, "The youths of this district want to live in peace and harmony. We do not need your provocative statements. If its possible for you, go to families that are in sorrow because of communal violence and alleviate their pain."
PFI demands suo motu registration of case, arrest of Jagadish Shenava
Meanwhile Dakshina Kannada district president of Popular Front of India (PFI), Nawaz Ullal, has urged the district administration to register suo motu case against leader of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Jagadish Shenava, and arrest him for inciting communal clashes in the district, which could jeopardise lives of many more innocent people. "Shenava's statement of vengeance in which he has openly supported killing of Basheer as an act of revenge for the murder of Deepak Rao, is a part of the hidden agenda of Sangh Parivar of reaping political benefits by sacrificing lives of innocent people by way of fuelling further communal clashes," he stated.
In a statement, Nawaz said that such statements would never have been made, had the government and the police department taken prompt legal action against Shenava when he had threatened to cut off hands of Muslims. "If we study Shenava's statement, we can safely conclude that he had got murder of Basheer executed as an act of revenge. Therefore, Jagadish Shenava should be named as the main accused in Basheer murder case, he should be arrested and legal action should be undertaken. At the same time, police security extended to Shenava for different reasons should be withdrawn," he urged the district administration.
He said that over 11 cases relating to delivery of communally provocative addresses had been registered in various police stations in Dakshina Kannada district, duly concluding that statements like this are being repeated as none of the accused have been arrested so far.
"National media have come out with reports about schemes aimed at disturbing peace in this district, and systematic ploy by the Sangh Parivar had been placed before the people by means of reports backed by evidences. These reports have got credence by the fact that the Sangh Parivar leaders are issuing statements which incite others, and thereby polluting innocent minds," he said.
Through a press note, Nawaz has criticized the district administration for failing to take proper action against the concerned, and whiling away time by repeatedly saying that suitable steps are being taken. If the government fails to wake up against repeated acts of disturbance of peace by Sangh Parivar, he warned, that PFI will organize strong protest against the district administration and fascist forces.