Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Updated
Mangaluru, Nov 12: The VHP and Bajrang Dal on Friday November 13 will hold 'rasta roko' at several places in Mangaluru and around in protest against the violence that erupted in Madikeri over the celebration of Tipu Jayanti on November 10, in which VHP leader Kuttappa lost his life.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday November 12, VHP leader Jagadish Shenava said that roads will be blocked at Mahaveer circle, Pumpwell, Hampankatta junction, Mulky junction, Suratkal junction, Thokkottu, Moodbidri, Gurpur, Kaikamba and Bajpe between 11 am and 12 noon.
"From past three years, several anti-Hindu elements have emerged and the main reason for this is the anti-Hindu policy of the Congress government. From withdrawing the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Protection Bill, to celebrating Tipu Jayanti, chief minister Siddaramaiah is playing vote bank politics in everything. Prashant Poojary's murder in Moodbidri and that of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Kuttappa in Madikeri are proofs of this anti-Hindu stand of the government," he alleged.
"Illegal cow slaughter, love Jihad and disappearance of girls are happening constantly. Hence, to condemn the anti-Hindu rule of the state government and the Madikeri incident, VHP and Bajrang Dal have called for a state-wide protest and blocking of roads from 11 am to 12 noon. There will be no bandh," he added.
Asked if the protest would not put the public to inconvenience, Shenava said, "People who are attending marriages and other functions are requested to leave early and we will give way for ambulance. We are also co-ordinating with the city traffic police department."
To a question on the decision to take back the bandh, he said, "We are not affraid of the government and districts which want to observe bandh can go ahead. We will fully support them. We discussed the matter with our senior leaders and decided to take back the bandh. We are not going to disturb anyone during the protest and we are expecting 400 to 500 people to join us."
Jitendra Kottari, chief secretary of VHP said, "CM Siddaramaiah is triyng to disturb the communal harmony in the society by celebrating Tipu Jayanti. Even Catholics and Muslims are opposing it. Congress is trying to destroy the Hindu community. By celebrating Tipu Jayanti, Congress is favouring PFI and SDPI. People of Karnataka want to know why the government is doing this."
Gopal Kuthar, Praveen Kuthar and others were also present.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: No bandh on Nov 13 - only protest, say Hindu leaders
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (RJP)
Mangaluru, Nov 12: There are strong rumours that bandh has been called in Dakshina Kannada especially in Mangaluru on Friday, November 13 by Hindu organisations protesting against the observation of Tipu Jayanthi and the death of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) worker Kuttappa in Madikeri. Replying to this Hindu organisations have clarified that they are not going to observe any bandh and in fact it is going to be only a protest.
Jagadish Shenava and Sharan Pumpwell the leaders of Vishwa Hindu parishad and Bajrang Dal respectively have said that the state-wide protest will be observed in all district and taluk centres including Dakshina Kannada on Friday. The protest rally will be held between 11 am and 12 noon and will include blocking of roads. The leaders of the Hindu organisations from twin coastal districts gathered at Sangha Nikethan in city on Wednesday to decide on the preparation for the protest.
“The government is responsible for the present tension and unrest in the state. Chief Minister is trying to appease the minorities and playing vote bank politics. Because of this, innocents like Prashant Poojary and Kuttappa have been killed. Siddaramaiah should own moral responsibility and should resign.” said Sharan Pumpwell in a statement.
No public meetings –Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim
Meanwhile a high level meeting was convened on Wednesday in the leadership of deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim to make arrangements to maintain law and order on November 13 in the wake of bandh rumours and the protest called by Hindu organisations.
“No public meetings and gatherings will be held on Friday, November 13. For the gatherings for which permission has been given, will be withdrawn. Liquor sale is prohibited on that day and all bars and wine shops will remain closed. All government employees should report to work without failure. The leaves approved for that day stand cancelled. All the tahasildars in taluk centres have been told to make preparations to maintain law and order.” said A B Ibrahim after the meeting.
Police commissioner S Murugan, superintendent of police S P Sharanappa, ADC Kumar, DCP Shantharaju, MCC commissioner Dr Gopalakrishna and others were present in the meeting.