Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (PS)
 
Udupi, Jan 1: In an incident reported on Friday December 30, a team comprising nine religious men who had come from Gujarat to deliver discourse at Kalmath Jamiya Masjid near Pallijidda of Kodavoor village were stopped by activists of Sangha Parivar, who allegedly also assaulted them and sent them back.
 
As the crowd increased at the venue and Sangha Parivar activists created chaos, the usual Friday prayers were not offered.
 
The team of 9 members belonging to Tabligh-e-Jamath of Surat in Gujarat state arrived in Udupi a few days ago and visited many mosques and delivered their discourse. The team came to Kodavoor mosque on Friday after their visit to mosques in Honnala, Hoode, Bengre, Gujjarbettu.
 
When they came to the mosque in Kodavoor, the door was locked and all were waiting outside. Knowing this, the Sangha Parivar activists allegedly thronged the mosque premises in large numbers. Tense situation prevailed and Sangha Parivar urged the police to investigate the team, alleging them of doubtful intentions and stating that they were natives of Bangladesh. They also urged the police to take them into custody. Police scrutinized the identity cards the team possessed.

Later, due to the tense situation, the nine people decided to vacate the place, but the Sangha Parivar members did not allow them, it is said. They were made to wait there from morning to afternoon till around 2 pm. Eyewitnesses said that they were assaulted when they tried to climb a bus, and had to go on foot till Kodavoor junction.
 
Udupi district SP arrived at the spot and investigated. When the Sangh Parivar activists urged the SP to interrogate the team, he replied that police have scrutinized their identity, and that they were innocent. He said they had come here to deliver religious discourse. The activists, however, refused to believe it and exchanged words with the SP. Later, the nine people were sent back in a vehicle. Tight police security was deployed.