Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Oct 18: "The VHP and Bajrang Dal will protest at every public programme in which minister for youth affairs and sports and Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain participates, as he failed to pay even a courtesy visit to the house of Prashant Poojary who was murdered in his constituency," announced VHP Udupi district president Baikady Suprasad Shetty.
He was a speaking at a protest organized by VHP, Bajrang Dal and Sanskara Bharati near Shastri circle here on Sunday October 18 to condemn the murder of flower vendor and Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary who was hacked to death on October 9. Though it is learnt that six persons have been taken into custody, the police are yet to confirm any official arrest in the case.
"Though the murder took place in his constituency, Abhaychandra Jain has still not visited Prashant's house or said any words of sympathy. Hence, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists will protest at every public programme in Moodbidri in which the minister participates," he declared.
"Prashant's family does not need the money of the Congress goverment which follows a policy of discrimination and appeases only the minority. VHP and other pro-Hindu organizations have decided to stand by Prashant's family and support them," he asserted.
"Attacks on the Hindu community are on the rise. At Kandlur in Kundapur too, innocent Hindu men were attacked by a group and among the five accused, three are yet to be arrested. If such an incident occurs in Kandlur again, we will gather 10,000 Hindu youths from various parts of the district and march to Kandlur. Our organizations will also continue to fight against love Jihad and cow slaughter. When cows are being stolen from a religious place like Anegudde, should we still sit quiet with our hands tied?" he said.
"Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde and present MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, both of whom had protested over various issues, together with ministers from Dakshina Kannada district, are silent on this case. Their silence itself shows their stand on the issue. A police SI who had been part of the operation against an illegal slaughterhouse at Mavinakatte recently received threat calls from the underworld. This raises a question mark on the government machinery itself," he added.
Sanskara Bharati district coordinator Vasudeva Bhat Parampalli, taluk coordinator Santosh Shetty, Neelavar Goshala trustee Laxminarayana Rao, state BJP fishermen wing convenor B Kishore Kumar, ZP vice-president Prakash Mendon, taluk panchayat president Bhaskar Billava Koni, and many others were present.
Shankar Ankadakatte delivered the keynote address, while Surendra Koteshwar compered and Rajat Tekkatte proposed the vote of thanks.
After the public meet, the protesters went around the town and collected funds for the family of Prashant Poojary.