Beltangady: Justice for Sowjanya - Rally for CBI probe witnesses gigantic crowd
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (EP)
Beltangady, Oct 25: Thousands of people gathered in Beltangady on Friday October 25 in demand for CBI probe into the sensation case of Sowjanya who was raped and murdered near Dharmasthala last year. Along with the massive protest in which people from across undivided Dakshina Kannada participated, bandh was observed in Beltangady taluk throughout the day.
Emotions ran high as protestors urged that along with the case of Sowjanya, cases of Vedavalli Harale and Padmalatha together with about 450 cases of missing people in Dharmasthala and around should be handed over to the CBI under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.
Addressing the protest rally, Sri Esha Vittaldas Swamiji of Kemar Sandeepani Sadhanashrama said, "I have said no to worshipping at feet and have given place for society in my heart. There is no place on earth as holy as the lap of a mother. May no child be meted out injustice like Sowjanya. Let us continue our protest until we get justice, until the case is handed over to the CBI."
"If you can see and feel oppression and injustice happening society, it means that you are on the right path. As I have taken up Sanyasa, there is no question of retreating regardless of the threats on the way. God is not a being who instills fear but one who inculcates love. One should not speak against God," he said.
'Evidence destroyed, ministers should resign'
Hindu leader Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi who presided over the protest said that the chief minister should 'discipline' the police department which 'supports rapists and murderers'.
"Ministers Vinay Kumar Sorake and Abhayachandra Jain should accept their shortcomings and resign. The evidence in the Sowjanya case has already been destroyed and the main witness, Ravi Poojary, a resident of Dharmastala committed suicide four months ago. The next protest will be on national level," he said.
Support from MLAs
"The Sowjanya case has gained momentum due to the support of MLAs Vasanth Bangera and Shakuntala Shetty. The truth must be revealed. The CBI enquiry should be monitored by a Supreme Court judge on a daily basis. The strength of the protest will increase and will include vehicle rally and other forms. The society is in the dark. We will not rest until there is light," he said.
Author Atradi Amrita Shetty said that to ask for justice for one child, such a large number of people were required after one year. "This is not our loss but the loss of people's representatives elected by us. In our country girls are not treated on par with boys, but Tulunadu is different. This land reveres mothers. There should be no more incidents like Sowjanya in Tulunadu," she said.
Vishnumurthi, a protestor, urged the concerned to conduct sincere investigation and retain the prestige and dignity of Dharmasthala. President of Human Rights Protection Mission Prakash Chennithala promised support for Sowjanya case on the national level.
Sowjanya's father Chandappa Gowda, mother Kusumavathi, Human Rights Protection Mission vice-president Mansoor Ahmed, human rights activist P B D’Sa and Dr Harale were present.
Ravi Poojary Baremelu welcomed the gathering. Srinivasa Kadirudyavara read an appeal addressed to the President of India.
Tight police security was deployed at the venue. Rice and contributions were collected in support of the protest. Coconuts were broken invoking gods and goddesses.
Bandh
The bandh was observed in Beltangady, Ujire, Guruvayanakere, Aladangadi, Madanthyaru and Poonjalkatte urging for CBI enquiry in the case.
All shops, business establishments remained closed and few vehicles could be seen on the roads as private buses and auto rickshaws also supported the bandh. Government buses were plying as usual.
The bandh was led by Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi.
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