Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Sep 28: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bantwal unit of the Bajrang Dal staged a massive protest near the Rakteshwari temple in B C Road on Monday, condemning the invoking of the Goonda Act against six individuals, including Bharath Kumdelu, even after they were granted bail by the court in a murder case.
The protest meeting commenced with a mass chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji of Gurpur Vajradehi Math said that Sangh Parivar organisations, including the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and Hindu Jagarana Vedike, which are at the forefront of striving for the upliftment of the Hindu society, represent the core identity of the Hindu community.
“The coastal district has been a hub of the Hindu society and will remain so in the future. If anyone is under the illusion that they can suppress the Hindu society, they should give it up. The Hindu society is strong and awakened from villages to Delhi,” he stated.
He criticised the decision to invoke the Goonda Act against Hindu activists, including Bharath Kumdelu. Echoing the organisations' allegations that the Act was used with the intention of keeping them in jail despite them obtaining bail, he demanded that the government reconsider its action.
Referring to the police notice served to RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, the seer said, “The police department must reveal the names of the ‘great leaders’ who directed them to issue the notice. It is inappropriate for legally aware police officers to act in this manner.”
He further alleged that there was an attempt to frame Dr Prabhakar Bhat, who, decades ago, gave up a medical career after earning his MBBS degree to dedicate himself to social service and guiding the Hindu society.
“If you try to suppress one Bharath, thousands of Bharaths will rise. The days of the Hindu society being afraid are over. Organisations must work with unity,” the Swamiji urged.
Warning of 'Chalo SP Office' protest
Delivering the keynote address, Hindu Jagarana Vedike provincial co-convener Sathish Davanagere demanded that police officers stop working in a manner that appeases one community.
“The police should respect the law and not act as slaves to any political party. If the practice of pulling the wool over the eyes of the Hindu society and appeasing a single community continues, we will not hesitate to organise a 'Chalo SP Office' or 'Chalo Commissioner Office' protest in the coming days,” he warned.
Alleging that Hindu activists were being targeted with the Goonda Act instead of those involved in cow slaughter and communal hatred in the coastal region, he asserted that Hindu activists work for the organisation and society using their own funds. He stressed that police officers must act as public servants, not government servants, and enforce the law with an understanding of the region's culture and social fabric.
'Will give a befitting reply if provoked'
Bajrang Dal provincial convener Prabhanjan Surya alleged that it appeared as though the government had given a 'supari' (contract) to the police department to ban the Bajrang Dal.
“We are not intimidated by such threats. If police officers have an itch to play politics, they should take off their uniforms and face us; we will respond in kind. What is happening now is just a trailer. If this behaviour continues, the nature of our protest will change,” he warned.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Goonda Act invoked against the activists, noting that the Bajrang Dal is an organisation built on the principles of service, security, and culture.
Prasad Kumar Rai objects to police action
In his introductory remarks, VHP-Bajrang Dal Bantwal unit president and advocate Prasad Kumar Rai accused the government of misusing police officers to register cases against Bharath Kumdelu and others in a phased manner.
He further alleged that following the transfer of the previous police commissioner and SP, the Congress government has been pursuing a policy of appeasement for the votes of one community.
“IPS and police officers must respect the Constitution and use their discretion. They should not use their power to suppress Hindu activists. The Hindu society will not turn its back and run away from such threats,” he stated.
Tight police security
In view of the protest, tight police security was deployed in B C Road. Following a route march on Sunday, police personnel were stationed at key locations from Monday morning.
Under the leadership of the additional SP and DySP, eight inspectors, 23 PSIs, 34 ASIs, 184 police personnel, and five home guards were deployed. Additionally, two SAF, three DAR, and four KSRP platoons were stationed to maintain law and order.
VHP leader Gopal Kuthar and secretary Sachin Kumar Melkar were present on the dais. Bhaskar Rao B C Road sang a motivational song, while Gangadhar Mani sang the Vande Mataram. District convener Lohith Panolibail proposed a vote of thanks.
The protest meeting was attended by Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, Dr Kamala Prabhakar Bhat, MLAs Rajesh Naik, Bhagirathi Murulya, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Umanath Kotian, district BJP president Sathish Kumpala, MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur, VHP provincial co-secretary Sharan Pumpwell, former MLAs Padmanabha Kottari and Sanjeeva Matandoor, and BJP leaders Sandesh Shetty Arebettu, R Chennappa Kotian, Sudarshan Baja, Shivaprasad Shetty, Dinesh Ammoor, Sulochana Bhat, Vikas Puttur, Govind Prabhu, Dinesh Bhandary, Prabhakar Prabhu, Devappa Poojary, Ramdas Bantwal, Rashmith Shetty Kaitrodi, Ashok Shetty Sarapadi, and Hindu leaders Narasimha Mani, Sunil Kottari, Santhosh Sarapadi, Bhujanga Kulal, and Muralikrishna Hamsatadka, along with other leaders and activists of various Hindu organisations.