Mangalore: Ayyappa Vratha Row - Police Detain over 30 Protestors
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Dec 18: The police on Tuesday December 18 detained 31 persons who were protesting against Canara PU College over the Ayyappa Vratha row.
The protest was held under the leadership of Sri Rama Sene leader Kumar Malemar.
A number of students, swamis and Rama Sene actvists sat on a dharna outside Canara PU College to protest against the College principal.
It may be recalled that on Monday December 17, College principal H Prabha Kamath had taken exception to a student who was observing Ayyappa Vratha and told him to shave his beard and wear the Ayyappa shawl inside his shirt.
The student, Rakshith, had approached Sri Rama Sene whose activists protested at the College premises. The principal, however, stood firm.
On Tuesday, the protestors demanded justice for Rakshith and said that the College should allow him to observe Ayyappa Vratha as per the rituals.
Barke police arrived at the spot and took the protestors into custody.
Update
Prasad Atttavar, Ganesh Attavar, Madhusudan Urvastore and other leaders of the Rama Sene have gathered at Barke police station along with their supporters in an effort to reach a compromise with the College management. However, the management is understood to be firm on its stand on the issue.
The student Rakshith along with the Rama Sene leaders and police officials also met the management at the College to try and reach a settlement, however, their efforts went in vain as the management refused to budge.
It is learnt that Rakshith's parents also met the College authorities and reportedly signed an agreement that Rakshith would not attend classes till January 19 till he is back from Sabarimala pilgrimage, and that he would abide by the college rules thereafter.
Speaking to daijiworld, principal Prabha Kamath said that the rules and regulations of the college had been clearly explained to the students at the start of the academic year in June. She said that though there is no rule against wearing Ayyappa shawl, the students are expected to be clean shaven.
"The rules are same for all and we cannot allow any student to flout them," she asserted.
Barke police SI Sharif spoke to Rakshith's parents who assured him that their son would adhere to the agreement signed with the college.
Bunder circle inspector Manjunath Shetty was present.