Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Jul 8: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a massive protest near the Kaikamba-Polali gate in BC Road on Tuesday, July 8 evening, condemning the delay in arresting the key accused in the murders of Abdul Rehman and Ashraf Wayanad. The protest was held under the slogan “Justice Denied is False Assurance,” also targeting the government’s handling of the compensation process.

Speaking at the protest, SDPI rural district secretary Nawaz Sharif Katte said, “We are protesting because of the government's delay in both announcing compensation and arresting the main culprits. After the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty in Bajpe, several stabbings occurred across the region, yet none of those culprits have been apprehended. Instead, it was the innocent Abdul Rehman who ended up being killed.”

He raised questions about Bharat Kummelu, who he claimed leads a luxurious lifestyle. “What is the source of income for someone living in a luxury bungalow and driving expensive cars? Who gifted him the vehicle? Bharat is allegedly making a living through extortion and has links to the murder. He must be arrested and thoroughly investigated,” he said.

“Money cannot bring peace to a soul lost to an unjust killing. Everyone who aided in the murder must be arrested and punished. Only then will justice be served,” he added.

Nawaz Sharif noted that protests have continued after both murders, and that SDPI has also joined forces with multi-party delegations in the demand for justice. “We will continue our fight until justice is done and the guilty are punished,” he asserted.

He clarified that SDPI is not a party that fights only when injustice is done to Muslims. “We stood up against injustice even in the Puttur sex scandal. We helped ensure justice for the woman involved, and SDPI played a major role in that fight,” he said.

State committee member Athavulla Jokatte said, “If murder accused are able to secure bail within a month, then where is the justice? The government must answer this.”

He added, “SDPI is not just a political party. Even in the BC Road municipal council, the Congress came to power only with our support. The murder of Abdul Rehman was an organised killing. Why is the state government hesitating to hand over the case to a Special Investigation Team (SIT)? Who is opposing this?”

He affirmed that SDPI’s fight for justice will continue until justice is fully delivered for innocent victims.

Leaders including Mohammed Sharif, Akhtar Ali, Abdul Jaleel, Siddique, Monish Ali, Shahul Hameed Siddique Puttur, Jamal Jokatte, Akhtar Beltangady, Ashraf Ibrahim Aladi Thangal, Hanif Punjalkatte, Ashraf Talapady, and several district committee office-bearers were present during the protest.