Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 18: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on Tuesday November 17 termed district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai as 'anti-minority' and alleged that the minister and the district administration were pressurising the police to file cases against innocent SDPI members in connection to the recent incident at Bantwal in which a protest by SDPI was stoned allegedly by activists supported by VHP.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday November 17, SDPI district secretary Riyaz Farangipete said that on November 12, SDPI had organized a peaceful protest over the Tipu Jayanti violence in Madikeri after taking oral permission from the police department.

"We did not use mike or banner. But when our protest meet was on, people from the Sangh Parivar pelted stones at our protest. Now it being claimed that we did not take permission for the protest, but the police had given security and protection.

"Now the police have filed cases against the protestors under IPC sections 307, 120B and 353. The police had assured us that they would file cases against Sangh Parivar activists too, but because of the poltics of the distict adminstration and the district incharge minister, they have instead filed cases against SDPI activists," he alleged.

Criticizing Ramanath Rai, he said, "Though SPDI is a political party, the district in-charge mnister has called it a communal organization and by doing so, he has targetted the minorities. He is anti-minority and is pressurizing the police department to file cases against minorities."

On the murder of Harish near BC Road the same evening, he said, "The police have arrrested a few for the murder of Harish but their names have not been revealed. They are being shielded. The actual culprits should be arrested within two days or we will hold protests at the village level.

"We also suspect that the district administration indirectly supported the VHP bandh by imposing prohibitory orders. Dalits and minorities are being suppressed. Cases have been filed against SDPI leaders on charges of making provocative speeches. But the administration has no guts to take action against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. Cases against SDPI leaders and innocent SDPI members should be withdrawn," he demanded.

"Ramanth Rai is playing politics. BJP does politics in the name of Tipu Sultan to attack minorities, but the district incharge minister is playing even more politics than the BJP. Though one Iqbal had filed a complaint in Bantwal police station that he was assaulted, no FIR was filed because of pressure from district in-charge minister and the administration. Cases are filed against minorities. It is clear that such cases are politically influenced. Rai is acting as if only minorities create problems," he alleged.

SDPI state committee members Jaleel K and M Koosappa, SDPI state secretary Nawaz Ullal and others were present.