Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jun 24: Anwar Sadat Bajathur, the SDPI district president, criticized local and state authorities for favouring the Sangh Parivar regarding the Boliyar incident. He accused the authorities of failing to arrest those who incited the violence, instead targeting the Muslim community by arresting innocents and conducting late-night raids. Bajathur announced a protest march scheduled for June 25 at 4 pm, led by the SDPI, in front of the Konaje police station.
During a press conference held at the Ullal press club at Thokkottu Seva Soudha, Bajathur stated, “On June 9 in Boliyar, during the victory celebration of a BJP candidate, Sangh Parivar activists raised provocative slogans against one community in front of the Boliyar mosque and organized a DJ dance. Despite a case being filed under Section 153(A), no arrests have been made so far. In contrast, the police have arrested 15 Muslims from Boliyar, raiding their homes in a manner reminiscent of actions seen in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, even in a constituency represented by a Muslim MLA. Elderly mothers, children, and sick women were taken to the police station and detained for two days and nights in the absence of their sons.”
Bajathur criticized the police for failing to inform families within 24 hours of arrests, describing the situation as akin to ‘Police Raj’ across the district. He accused the Siddaramaiah-led government, which came to power with significant Muslim support, of acting like the previous Bommai government.
“On Sunday night, the Konaje police detained an innocent youth, Rashid, and locked him up. Women constables were not present during house raids, and doors were kicked in with shoes. Women were disregarded, and youths were taken away arbitrarily. How should women and children feel when 150 police officers raid a house late at night? The police claim they are arresting everyone seen on CCTV footage from the incident, yet no Sangh Parivar members have been apprehended despite being visible on the footage,” Bajathur added.
He further noted that those who incited the incident remain at home after being discharged from the hospital, and the state government appears to be appeasing the Sangh Parivar. Bajathur criticized the local MLA for being overseas and failing to address the issue, and he urged the state government to stop targeting Muslims immediately.
Riyaz Kadumbu, a state committee member, pointed out, “Those who worked for Congress and voted for them are now in prison. The government, which arrests Muslim leaders for allegedly shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' when they were actually chanting for Congress, is acting anti-Muslim. The police department, instead of curbing illegal activities occurring late at night, is continuously raiding Muslims. Who is pressuring the police to conduct these raids? MLA U T Khader, Home Minister Parameshwar, and District In-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao are making the police work for the Sangh Parivar. The government’s failure to arrest MLA Harish Poonja, who physically assaulted a police officer, while arresting innocent Muslims, demonstrates its ineffectiveness. The court’s relief for BJP workers is due to government prosecution failure. If the government continues to support the Sangh Parivar, the district's minorities will unite. Everyone should participate in the protest march at Konaje on June 25 at 4 pm.”
Khairunnisa, the wife of Siraj, who was arrested in connection with the Boliyar incident, said, “The police entered my house at midnight without any female constables, threatened women and children, and took my husband away. They filed the FIR the following morning. Human rights organizations, women’s commissions, and children’s commissions should intervene against such police atrocities.”
The press conference was also attended by Basheer S M, the Mangaluru assembly constituency President; Nawaz Ullal, state committee member; and Suhail Khan Falnir, the district secretary.