Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Mar 20: Several activists of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) were detained by the police on Friday, March 20, after they staged a protest against the three-day ‘Samadhana Mahotsav’ programme organised by the Fellowship of Churches.

The protestors raised objections to the participation of controversial speaker Mohan C Lazarus, alleging that the event could be used to promote religious conversions. The organisers, however, had obtained permission for the programme through the court, which allowed the event to proceed under certain conditions.

As right wing activists attempted to head towards the venue to participate in the programme, police intervened and stopped them. In response, the protestors gathered at the Govinda Kalyana Mantapa premises and staged a demonstration.

To prevent any escalation of the situation, police personnel took the activists into custody. They were shifted to the Manipal police station and subsequently released later in the day.

The activists expressed strong opposition to granting a platform to a person they accused of encouraging religious conversion. They urged the authorities to take strict action if any content during the event hurt Hindu sentiments.

The protest was led by right wing leader Srikanth Shetty. Elaborate security arrangements were made in and around the venue to maintain law and order. The operations were carried out under the leadership of Udupi town police station inspector Mahesh Prasad, with additional personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.