Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 19: Two days after communal clashes broke out at Karaya in Beltangady taluk, district incharge minister Ramanath Rai on Monday January 19 said that it was 'wrong to organize programmes on communal lines', referring to the 'Virat Hindu Hrudaya Sangama' that was held at Puttur a short while before the clashes erupted.

"Organizing programmes on communal lines is wrong. Such programmes should not be held as they disrupt the communal harmony in society," Rai said, addressing a press meet at the Circuit House here.

"No matter who organizes such programmes, it will create adverse effect on society. People should put effort to preserve communal harmony in the district," he added.

Commending the police action during the communal clashes at Karaya, he said the police department took swift and adequate measures to control the situation. "Within 30 minutes the SP himself along with the police force arrived at the spot," he said.

He also requested the people of the district to restore peace and communal harmony without paying heed to rumours. "Innocent people suffer when riots take place," he pointed out.

"A communal person in the minority community is a threat to his own community, but a communal person in the majority community is a threat to the nation," he opined.

When reporters questioned about the state government's failure to arrest RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for making provocative speeches, he said, "Suitable action will be taken according to the law, whoever it may be. People should condemn and socially boycott those who make provocative speeches. It is our duty."

On the recently-launched Bharatiya Hindu Parishad (BHP) by the chief of Puttur block Congress, Rai said, "Congress has no connection to BHP and will not support it."

He also said that Shiradi Ghat road work will be completed within six months. "It was sanctioned when Oscar Fernandes was the union transport minister," he added.