Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 9: BJP state president B Y Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, accusing it of misusing police power to target Hindu leaders under the pretext of maintaining law and order.
Speaking at the BJP district office here on Tuesday, June 9, Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government is exhibiting “goonda behaviour” by harassing Hindu activists following the murder of Suhas Shetty in Bajpe.
“Suhas Shetty was brutally murdered, and instead of bringing the culprits to justice, the Congress government is using the police to raid the homes of Hindu leaders at midnight. This is nothing short of intimidation,” Vijayendra charged.
He said a BJP delegation had met with Hindu leaders, members of various organisations, the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and the city police commissioner to discuss the prevailing situation. “We are not asking for special treatment. All we asked is that officials not work under pressure from the government and stop threatening Hindu leaders,” he added.
The BJP chief claimed that after the formation of the state’s anti-communal wing, attacks on Hindu leaders have increased. “This task force is nothing but a tool to conspire against and instil fear among Hindu leaders, especially in strongholds of the BJP,” he alleged.
Vijayendra also welcomed the Union government’s decision to hand over the Suhas Shetty case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), stating that despite BJP’s earlier demand, the state government showed no interest in doing so.
He accused the Congress government of deliberately protecting its own leaders while going after those associated with the BJP and Hindu organisations. “Cases are filed against Hindu leaders like Dr Prabhakar Bhat, but when people like Ivan D’Souza speak against the Prime Minister and the Governor, there is no action taken,” he pointed out.
“Law and order in Karnataka has collapsed,” he declared, further alleging that police officers were being transferred arbitrarily when political leadership failed, as seen in Dakshina Kannada and Bengaluru.
Referring to pressing concerns like love jihad, cattle theft, drug abuse, and illegal sand mining, Vijayendra said these issues must be addressed first. “If these are curbed, there won’t be a need for our leaders to come out on the streets,” he said.
Leader of opposition in the assembly R Ashok, who was also present, alleged that police stations in the state are functioning like Congress party offices. “There is no difference in how anti-nationals and patriots are treated. The law cannot be the same for both. Looking at recent developments, there is no guarantee that the Congress government will survive its full term,” he said.
Ashok reaffirmed BJP’s support to Hindu leaders, urging them not to be afraid. On being asked about Suhas Shetty’s alleged rowdy sheet, he remarked, “There are different definitions for the term rowdy. Even leaders like D K Shivakumar and Rahul Gandhi have cases against them. Let the court decide.”
He also urged the police to investigate the motive behind the murder of Rehman and clarified that it was not a communal incident.
The BJP delegation also included former Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda, and leader of opposition in the legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. MLAs Bharath Shetty, Harish Poonja and Dakshina Kannada BJP district president Satish Kumpala were also present among others.