PTI

Bangalore, May 6: Twentyseven activists of the little-known Karnataka Yuva Vedike were arrested on Sunday after they went on a rampage at a popular pub here late Saturday night to express their protest against `pub culture'.

The accused barged into the Athena pub, located at the plush Leela Palace at the Airport Road around 11.25 PM and asked the customers to leave the premises. They later went around damaging property and threatening those seated inside.

The activists claimed that the pub culture was foreign to India and hence had decided to forcibly close down the pub, DCP Bijoy Kumar Singh said.

They also argued that the pub was running beyond the closing time and had been serving liquor. They further alleged that there was a lot of indecent dancing taking place within the pub premises, following which they had decided to stop the activities going on within it, Singh said.

However, the allegations were baseless since the pub had the required permit and was not working beyond the stipulated timings, he said.

The activists have been charged with trespassing, damage to property, intimidation and for trying to outrage the modesty of women. The pub was filled with both men and women and a lot of pushing and jostling took place. Hence the above charges had been pressed, he said.

Police suspect that the attack could be a fallout of some business or personal rivalry.