Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 14: Chief of Sri Rama Sene Pramod Muthalik on Wednesday October 14 appeared in the court for the hearing in the 2009 pub attack case.

Speaking to reporters, Muthalik condemned the recent murder of flower vendor and Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary in Moodbidri and said, "I will go to Prashant Poojary's residence tomorrow (October 15). It was a gruesome murder commited early morning. In Karnataka, because of the anti-Hindu policies of the state government, murderers are getting support. This case is a clear example. Sri Rama Sene condemns this murder."

On the incident at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh where a man was lynched to death on rumours of storing beef, he said, "Dadri lynching was a small incident. One cannot say murder should not happen there, but it has been hyped. This is a planned strategy to attack Hindutva."

On literary figures giving back Sahitya Akademi awards in protest, he said, "The Sahitya Akademi awards are given by a non-governmental institution. If you want to put pressure on government there are several other ways to protest. Several incidents happened during Congress rule in the country, like the Emergency, and though they did not get awards at that time, they could have stillprotested. Even today when issues related to Emergency come up, they are silent. Forty years ago when Hindus were drivern out, the intellectuals were silent. They are talking about humanity now, but when Sikhs were murdered, awards were not given back. No one gave back awards when the Congress was in power in the country, but now they are shedding crocodile tears. This is a laughable matter and utter foolishness."

On the murder of Kannada writer and scholar M M Kalburgi, he said, "Within two days of the murder the case was given to CID and action was taken by the state government. But literary figures in Karnataka are still giving back their awards. By doing so, they are misleading and pressuring the government - this is not correct."

On the ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni's face by Shiv Sena activists in Mumbai for participating in former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasrui’s book launch, Muthalik praised the Shiv Sena and said, "I support Shiv Sena's action. Instead of making this an issue, first think of the reason behind it. Bomb blasts took place in Mumbai and innocent people were killed, and Pakistan was behind the blasts. Even the government has proved this and evidence has been given to Pakistan. Also, Pakistan is killing our soldiers at the border. So what do we gain by having business, music or sports ties with Pakistan? What kind of policy is this? From 50 years we are living with a sense of pride. The Shiv Sainiks have done an excellent job.

"Sudheendra Kulkarni advised L K Advani to go and offer prayers at Mohammed Jinnah's tomb, and also prepared Advani's speech wherein he said Jinnah was secular. Shiv Sena's claim that Kulkarni is a Pakistani agent is cent percent true," he asserted.

Regarding farmer suicide issue, he said, "Not only Congress, but no party is concerned about farmers and all parties are shedding crocodile tears for vote bank."

After attending the hearing in the court, Muthalik will visit Kudroli temple.