Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Mar 12: Soon after he and other accused in the infamous pub attack case of 2009 were acquitted due to lack of evidence by the district court, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik blamed the BJP, which was in power in the state at the time, for 'purposely' fixing him in the case and putting him in jail.
Addressing a press meet here soon after the verdict was out, Muthalik said, "BJP purposely booked me in the pub attacke case when it was in power in the state. At the time of the attack I was in Maharashtra and returned two days later. The police under the BJP arrested me and put me in jail for 16 days. They tortured me. Because of this case, I lost a huge amount of money as well as time, and underwent mental agony.
"If some BJP workers were to attack someone in Mangaluru, can you arrest BJP presdent Yeddyurappa? Or if Congress workers were to attack, will you send chief minister Siddaramaiah to jail? If not, then why did they arrest me?" he questioned.
"I want to say, BJP had directed the police to arrest me in this case so as to defame me. I will discuss with my lawyers and file defamation case," he said.
Muthalik however admitted that it was wrong on the part of his outfit's activists to beat up the girls at the time of the attack.
"We felt guilty about the incident and apologised to the girls within days of the attack. It was wrong on the part of our members to beat up the girls. We respect women and girls and we did not intend to assault them. We only went there (Amnesia pub) to convince them that going to pubs and drinking alcohol was not our culture," he said.
Nevertheless, he added, "In future also we will do similar campaigns, but not by attacking anyone. We will continue our struggle against western culture, but within the ambit of law.
He also demanded action against pubs. "After the attack, Amnesia pub was closed for some time. Now another pub called 'Rolex' is running at the same place, and service alcohol till 2 am. My question to the state government is why action is not taken against such pubs? We know it is being run by a corporator with the help of all parties."
Expressing relief at the court's verdict, he said, "Both BJP and Congress governments booked me in 106 cases. Now only 21 cases remain. I have been acquitted in all the rest.
"I am happy with today's verdict. Truth is always with me, and today's verdict has proved this. Altogether, 30 were booked in the case, out of whom two died and three went abroad during the course of the trial. I am thankful to the court for doing justice," he said.
He condemned the arrest of K T Naveen in Gauri Lankesh murder case. "The Congres government has arrested Naveen to gain political mileage. He is innocent but the special investigation team (SIT) has purposely booked him to defame the Hindu organizations. I condemn the arrest.
"At the same time, I also condemn the arrest of Samit Raj Moodbidri who was booked under Goonda Act and sent to Bengaluru jail. It is not acceptable. He fought against illegal cattle trafficking and love Jihad. He worked to protect Indian culture," Muthalik said.
Sri Rama Sene district president Jeevan Neermarga, Pradeep Moodushedde and others were present.
After the press meet, Muthalik and his supporters celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.