Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 15: SDPI on Friday January 15, organized a massive protest rally, 'SP Office Chalo', a foot march against arresting of its three workers by Beltangady police. The three are slapped with the accusation of raising pro-Pakistani slogans.
The foot march began from Clock Tower in the city. Over 1,000 people gathered for the foot march and the demonstration which followed. Police personnel were deployed and barricades put up opposite Townhall so that protestors do not cross and gherao the SP’s office.
The protestors then sat on the road raising slogans. The protestors demanded the police to release the arrested and dismiss Beltangady police sub-inspector Nandakumar from service.
SDPI leader Shafi Bellare said, “The government is controlling the police which is very clear in the Beltangady incident. If Pakistan did not exist, then BJP also would not have existed. Today, our country is facing hunger, poverty and unemployment which is not being addressed by the government. They have not introduced any people-friendly schemes too. Since 50 days, farmers are protesting, but the government has failed to address the issue.
“All from BJP to Bajrang Dal are tasting power in the name of Pakistan. BJP terms Pakistan as enemy and on the other hand our Prime Minister visits Pakistan and enjoys biryani. BJP, allying with Pakistan, have come to power. There is an agenda behind this incident of raising pro-Pakistan slogan that is to project Muslims as anti-nationals. This does not benefit Muslims. It only benefits BJP and they know it very well as they come to power in the name of Pakistan. RSS does not know to speak truth as they are always against this country, flag and law.
“Innocent members of SDPI were arrested in Ujire incident. After three days, another video surfaced where a BJP member raised pro-Pakistan slogan. That video of BJP was uploaded by Nuthan Nishi on YouTube on December 30.
“Until justice is provided and our demands are fulfilled, we will continue to protest,” he said.
The protestors waited for the arrival of IGP to handover memorandum with their demands. Instead, police commissioner N Shashikumar visited the spot and accepted the memorandum. He said, "I thank the protestors for conducting a peaceful protest here. I will handover the memorandum to IGP.
The police commissioner urged the protestors to disperse peacefully after which the massive crowd vacated the area.
It may be recalled, police had arrested three people on the charges of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during the gram panchayat vote counting process in Ujire a few weeks ago. SDPI had condemned the police's action and said that the arrested trio were innocent.