Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Sep 22: A leader of Hindu Aikya Vedike in Kasargod district was arrested by the police personnel of Vittal station here on the allegation of denouncing Islam and delivering communally provocative address, on Friday, September 21.
The arrested man has been identified as Manjunath Udupa (32), district secretary of Kasargod Hindu Aikya Vedike, who happens to be an associate of BJP leader from Kasargod, Raveesh Tantry.
Udupa had absconded from the day the incident happened, and was taken into custody after he appeared in the police station after securing bail from the court on September 19. The police said that they have made preparations to open a communal goonda sheet in his name.
Manjunath Udupa alias Pushparanga Bhat had taken part as chief guest in a programme organized in private land at Kadambu village within the limits of Bantwal police station on September 9 on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival. It is said that delivering keynote address on the occasion, he had derided the people of another faith and delivered communally inflammatory speech. Loudspeaker was used for the programme without obtaining prior permission, the police stated.
Management of Kadambu Jama Masjid had filed complaint about these things in Vittal police station, duly naming Manjunath Udupa, organizer of the programme, Chetan Padimale, host, Bhaskar Tailor as well as Suresh Kottary, Varadaraja Kottary, B K Krishnappa Salian and Ramesh Poojary, who were present on the dais.
On the basis of this complaint, a case had been registered.
All the accused went missing from the date of the registration of the complaint. All o them except Manjunath Udupa and B K Krishnappa Salian came to the police station on September 11 after obtaining bail through the court, the police said.
The police had conducted operation within the limits of Adoor police station in places like Mulleria, Gadigudde, Kuntary etc to find out the whereabouts of main accused, Manjunath Udupa. He works as supervisor of Gadigudde branch of Kaniyoor Math and is an associate of BJP leader, Raveesh Tantry, the police said.
A case of kidnapping is pending against him in Adoor police station. He is from C N Halli, Shettikere in Tumakuru district. Currently, he is the district secretary of Kasargod Hindu Aikya Vedike, said district superintendent of police, Ravikanthe Gowda.