Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Mar 9: Clashes erupted between BJP and Congress members here on Wednesday March 9 reportedly over a WhatsApp message in connection to last week's bandh over MP Anant Kumar Hegde's alleged blasphemous remarks against Islam. The police resorted to lathi charge and arrested several BJP and Congress members.
Police sources said that last Saturday (March 5), when there was bandh called by Muslim organizations in Bhatkal in protest against Hegde's remarks, block Congress president Vittal Naik also supported the bandh and closed his shop. Questioning this, BJP member Tulsidas allegedly began circulating derogatory WhatsApp messages against Vittal Naik, which soon went viral.
It is learnt that Vittal Naik then confronted Tulsidas and a fight erupted between them. It is alleged that Naik assaulted Tulsidas.
On Wednesday, Naik went to the police station to file a case against Tulsidas, but at the same time, a group of BJP members also went there to file a complaint against Naik for allegedly assaulting Tulsidas. The BJP members who saw Naik there allegedly attacked him in front of the police. It is alleged that Naik also hit them back.
In no time, members of both parties gathered at the police station in hundreds and the situation turned tense.
The police then arrested BJP leaders Govinda Naik, Krishna Naik, and some others, and also Congress members and leaders including Vittal Naik.
Altogether, 12 BJP members and three Congress members have been arrested. They are Govinda Naik, Hanumanth Naik, Shankar Naik Chauthani, Anand Naik Sarpanakatte, Madeva Naik Puravarga, Nagesh Naik Asarakeri, Nagaraj Venkataramana Naik, Datta Naik Shirali, Udaya Naik, Dasa Naik Shirali, Krishna Naik Asarakeri, Vittal Naik, Tirumala Naik Talagodu and Ganapati Naik Talagodu.
However, the matter did not end there. When the police were going to produce the arrested persons in the court, members of both parties, but mostly of BJP and Sangh Parivar, gathered again and started protesting. The police then resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. The protestors took a procession of sorts till the court premises, shouting slogans and demanding release of the arrested persons.
SP Vamshi Krishna and other officers arrived at the spot. The SP said that strict action would be taken against those who create trouble, no matter which party they belong to.
By night, the situation came under control. The police have deployed tight security to prevent further unrest. Additional forces have also been called in.
The Bhatkal police have registered three cases in connection to the incident - against Tulsidas for allegedly circulating the WhatsApp message, against Vittal Naik for allegedly attacking Tulsidas and against Govind Naik and other BJP leaders for allegedly attacking Naik.
Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, Congress leader Vittal Naik denied assualting Tulsidas. "I did not assault anyone. There have been attempts to tarnish my image through such messages earlier too, and I had even approached the police. On the day of the bandh, I closed my shop as Muslims are working there. Even Hindus who run shops in buildings owned by Muslims cooperated and shut down their businesses. But only the picture of my shop was clicked and circulated on WhatsApp with derogatory messages. When I came to the police station to file a complaint, I was beaten up in front of the police.
BJP leader Govinda Naik alleged that the police had shown bias in filing complaints, with more number of BJP members being accused in the case.