Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Sept 28: A massive protest meeting was held at the premises of Sri Rakteshwari Temple in B C Road on Monday, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal condemning the invocation of the Goonda Act against six people, including Bharat Kumdellu, despite a court having granted them bail in a murder case.
The protest, organised by the VHP and Bajrang Dal Bantwal Prakhand, began with a collective recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Rajshekharananda Swamiji of Gurupura Vajradehi Mutt said the VHP, Bajrang Dal, Jagarana Vedike and other Sangh Parivar organisations working at the forefront of the community’s progress represented its identity.
“The coastal districts are the centre of the community and will continue to remain so. If you are under the illusion that you can suppress the community, give it up. The community is strong and alert from villages to Delhi,” he said.
The Swamiji strongly criticised the invocation of the Goonda Act against Bharat Kumdellu and other activists. Organisations have alleged that the Act was being used to keep them behind bars even after they obtained bail from the court, and demanded that the government review the action.
‘Reveal who ordered notice to Prabhakar Bhat’
The Swamiji also raised the issue of a police notice issued to Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. “The police department should reveal the names of the great leaders who asked them to issue the notice. It is not right for police officers who are aware of the law to act in this manner,” he said.
He alleged that efforts were being made to implicate Bhat in cases despite his having given up a medical career decades ago. After obtaining an MBBS degree and being expected to pursue the medical profession, Bhat, he said, chose instead to devote himself to social service and guide the community.
“If you try to suppress one Bharat, thousands of Bharats will emerge. The time when the community was afraid is over. Organisations must work together in unity,” the Swamiji said.
Warning of ‘SP Office Chalo’
Delivering the keynote address, Jagarana Vedike state co-convenor Satish Davanagere called on police officers to stop acting in a manner that, according to him, appeased one community.
“Police must work by respecting the law and not as slaves of any political party. If the practice of appeasing one community by turning a blind eye to the concerns of the community continues, we will not hesitate to hold an SP office and Commissioner’s office Chalo in the coming days,” he warned.
He alleged that activists were being targeted in coastal Karnataka instead of the Goonda Act being used in cases linked to cow slaughter and communal hatred.
He said activists were working for their organisations and society at their own expense and urged police officers to function as servants of the people rather than merely as servants of the government.
Police, he added, should enforce the law after understanding the culture and social circumstances of the coastal region.
‘If provoked, we will respond’
Bajrang Dal state coordinator Prabhanjan Surya alleged that there were suspicions that the government had given a “supari” to the police department with the intention of banning Bajrang Dal.
“We are not afraid of such threats. If police officers have developed a habit of doing politics, they should remove their uniforms and come; we will face them in the same manner. What is happening now is only the trailer. If this kind of behaviour continues, the nature of our next struggle will change,” he warned.
He said Bajrang Dal had grown around the principles of service, security and culture and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Goonda Act against its activists.
Prasad Kumar Rai hits out at police action
Prasad Kumar Rai, president of VHP-Bajrang Dal Bantwal Prakhand and an advocate, alleged in his introductory address that the government was misusing police officers by filing cases against Bharat Kumdellu and others in a phased manner.
He further alleged that following the transfer of the previous Police Commissioner and SP, the Congress government had adopted a policy of appeasement to secure votes from one section.
“IPS officers and police officers should respect the Constitution and function according to their own judgement. Their powers should not be used to suppress activists. The community will not turn its back and run away because of such threats,” he said.
Tight security deployed in B C Road
Tight security arrangements were put in place in BC Road in view of the protest. Police had conducted a route march on Sunday, while personnel were deployed at key locations from Monday morning.
Under the leadership of the Additional SP and DySP, eight inspectors, 23 PSIs, 34 ASIs, 184 police personnel and five Home Guards were deployed for security.
In addition, two SAF, three DAR and four KSRP platoons were deployed.
VHP leader Gopal Kuttar and secretary Sachin Kumar Melkar were present on the stage. Bhaskar Rao BC Road sang the Prerana Geethe, while Gangadhar Mani performed Vande Mataram. District coordinator Lohith Panolibail delivered the vote of thanks.
The protest meeting was attended by Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, Dr Kamala Prabhakar Bhat, MLAs Rajesh Naik, Bhagirathi Murulya and Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Umanath Kotyan, district BJP president Satish Kumpala, MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur, VHP state joint secretary Sharan Pumpwell, former MLAs Padmanabha Kottari and Sanjeeva Mathandur, BJP leaders Sandesh Shetty Arebett, R Chennappa Kotyan, Sudarshan Baj, Shivaprasad Shetty, Dinesh Ammur, Sulochana Bhat, Vikas Puttur and Govind Prabhu, along with Dinesh Bhandary, Prabhakar Prabhu, Devappa Poojary, Ramdas Bantwal, Rashmith Shetty Kaithrodi and Ashok Shetty Sarpady.
Community leaders Narasimha Mani, Sunil Kottari, Santosh Sarpady, Bhujanga Kulal and Muralikrishna Hansathadka, besides leaders and activists of various organisations, also participated in the protest.