Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Sep 2: "The 'Mangaluru Chalo' bike is being organized by the BJP Yuva Morcha with the sole intention of disturbing peace in Dakshina Kannada. Hence the government and the police should not give permission to this rally," said Hanif Khan Kodaje, district president of SDPI.

Addressing a press meet here here on Saturday September 2, Hanif said, "After being under prohibitory orders for several days, the district is slowly becoming peaceful. But BJP and its Yuva Morcha do not want this. That is why they are organizing the rally with the help of outsiders.

"We have already requested the government authorities to not allow this programme. Also, we request the police and the administration to not give permission to public rallies in the district for the next one year. This will help maintain peace and harmony in our region," he said.

Responding to BJP's demand to ban PFI and SDPI, he said, "SDPI and PFI are registered organizations at the national level. So it is not easy to ban them. That said, BJP is in power at the centre, so why is it not asking its own government for the ban? That shows the demand for ban is only for political gain at the local level. They want to see this district burn with violence and riots."

Asked about district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai's 'unity march' to be held on September 12, he said, "Rai is also doing politics with peace rally. If he invites all political parties and communal organizations for the peace march, we can accept that he is doing it for the good of the society. But (by keeping BJP and PFI away from the march) he is doing it only as a publicity gimmick with the motive of achieving political gains."

A M Athaulla, Iqbal Bellare, Ashraf Manchi, Iqbal and Shahul Hameed were present.