Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 22: The Campus Front of India (CFI) on Tuesday February 22 expressed suspicion that Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat may have had a role to play in the mob attack on a Malpe restaurant run by the father of one of the petitioners in the Hijab case.
A mob of around 50 people, reportedly belonging to right-wing outfits, pelted stones and damaged 'Bismillah Hotel' in Malpe late night on Monday February 21. The restaurant belongs to Hyder Ali, father of Shifa, one of the college girls who approached the high court for being denied entry into classroom for wearing Hijab. Her brother Saif was assaulted by the mob and has been admitted to hospital.
Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, CFI district president Aseel Akram said, "There is suspicion that MLA Raghupathi Bhat might have had a hand in the incident in which the family member of a student involved with Hijab controversy was attacked. About six persons had together beaten up the family members," he said, adding that the mob consisted about a 'hundred goons'.
He said that Hyder began to receive threatening calls after a video captured by a hidden camera of a private television channel was aired.
"Some began to urge people against visiting Bismillah Hotel. Saif also was threatened earlier. After he was attacked when the hotel was about to close, Saif's friends chased the miscreants away. Now reports say that Saif has suffered internal injuries," Aseel said.
He demanded that the guilty be brought to book and punished. He warned that in case this does not happen, CFI will hold intense protests.
"There is no connection between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Hijab issue. The students have demanded their right. The arguments happening in the high court so far are in our favour. We expect the verdict to be in our favour. We wish that the judgement is delivered at the earliest," he stated.