Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 6: The district BJP led by Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje on Wednesday June 6 stage a strong protest condemning the arrest of VHP and Bajrang Dal activists in connection to the death of cattle trader Hussainabba and demanded a CBI probe into the case. They claimed that chief minister Kumaraswamy had put 'pressure' on the police to file murder case against the arrested activists even though Hussainabba died of cardiac arrest.
The protest was held near the DC's office with over a 1,000 BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal workers in attendance. Nearly 500 police personnel were deployed to ensure that there would no untoward incident.
Addressing the protestors, Shobha Karandlaje said, "Karnataka is yet to get a full-fledged government even though elections were over days ago. The government does not want to take serious note of the losses incurred due to rains and floods in the coastal region, but it is very concerned about Hussainabba's death. The chief minister (Kumaraswamy) has personnally called the SP and the IGP to seek report on the case.
"Former CM Siddaramaiah was in favour of minorities. His initiatives like 'Shaadi Bhagya' were only for Muslims and not Hindus. During his term, whenever our activist died while trying to stop cattle trafficking, no compensation was announced, but when a cattle trafficker was killed, his family received Rs 10 lac as compensation from the then government," she said, in reference to the Kabeer case that happened in 2014.
"The police here are asking questions about who damaged Hussainabba's vehicle. But the truth is that Hussainabba and his accomplices damaged it themselves while taking reverse in a bid to escape. Bajrang Dal activists did not do it as claimed.
"Bajrang Dal, VHP and RSS have decided not to engage in any unlawful activities. There is no connection between the Bajrang Dal and the Perdoor incident. Our activists only informed the police about it, but due to the pressure by the CM and the deputy CM, the police have filed murder case against our activists. The fact is that it was the police lay in wait from 1 am to 4 am to intercept the Scorpio on the night of the incident," she said.
She also demanded tranfer of police personnel from the district. "Police personnel like Brahmavar PSI Rafiq should not be posted in this region. He has questioned our activists asking if they were with Bajrang Dal or the RSS, and threatened to arrest them.
"Former governor Bhardwaj who was a UPA 'chela' was not in favour of the anti-cow slaughter act and did not sign it. However, Muslim farmers themselves do not support cow slaughter. Even the law does not give provision for cow slaughter. Our activists were just trying to stop cow slaughter by Hussainabba and his team, but the police arrested us. We congratulate the police for their efforts to control cow slaughter whenever we have given them information and we are with them. This protest is not agianst the police but against the state government," she said.
"But there are some police officials in the department who threaten us for working with the VHP and BD. They should be transferred immediately and no Bajrang Dal or VHP activist should be arrested further until the post-mortem report is out," she added.
“H D Kumaraswamy came to power due to Congress government’s sins and wrong doings. Siddaramaiah has bribed minority religion’s reporters. The government has not allowed the police department to delay the arrests till the arrival of the post mortem report. It has pressurized police officials to file case against our activists. Saffron is in our mind and soul. Even our dress is saffron. What will you do? Police should work constitutionally. They should not discriminate among our activists and other people. No government is permanent. We will not spare any police official who will question us for wearing saffron shawls. Police should try to protect those who are helping them in cow protection. I insist the police department, not to arrest any of our activists further. We have worked according to law. If one Hussainabba died, more than 700 PFI volunteers came to Udupi. Why are the police not arresting them? The lathi and pistol you have is to use them on illegal cow traffickers and not on cow protectors. None of our activists hold lathi and pistol in their hands. We have come here wearing saffron shawl and nothing else. I request police personnel to arrest illegal cows traffickers and not those who protect cows," she said.
MLA Raghupati Bhat said, "Today we have organized this protest because of the anti-Hindu policy of the state government. Under this governement, cow traffickers and slaughterers are roaming free. Hussainabba died due to cardiac arrest, and not because of assault from any of our activist. Police committed a mistake in not taking the body immediately for post-mortem, but they have tried their best to control cattle trafficking. The CM called the IGP and the SP on this case, but he is not bothered about the losses incurred due to rains.
"If the case is given to the CID, there also the CM can interfere, so this case should be handed over to the CBI. Hussainabba died in police custody, but they have filed murder case against our activists even before getting the post-mortem report. Hussainabba killed two cows but no one is talking about that. Further action should be taken only after getting post-mortem report and no activist must be arrested till then. If the post-moretm report says he died of cardiac arrest, our activists should be released, but if it says he died of assault, then further action can be taken," Bhat said.
BJP district president Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde said, “Brahmavar sub-inspector Rafiq has threatened Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and BJP activists. He has said that he would arrest our activists if they wear saffron shawls. Forget Rafiq, even the DG and DGP cannot touch saffron shawls and our activists. I challenge SI Rafiq. Let him decide the time and place, we will come there wearing saffron shawl. Let us see what he can do to us. Except Rafiq, the whole police department is in favor of us. This is just the beginning. I request the state government and the police department to support us in our mission of cow protection. During the tenure of CM Siddaramaiah, PFI activists were entering our houses and taking cows for slaughter.”
VHP district president Vilas Nayak also spoke.