Ballari: As many as 30 persons, including Congress leader Zameer Ahmed Khan were detained by the police when they tried to picket the residence of BJP MLA Somashekar Reddy in Ballari, on Monday morning.
It may be recalled that Chamarajapet MLA Khan had threatened to protest outside the residence of Reddy after the latter made a statement on Hindu-Muslim demography.
Agitations were held in various parts of the state by many, who felt that the statement of Reddy hinted that Muslims will have to live like ‘second-class’ citizens in India.
Khan had demanded the arrest of Reddy, failing which, he said he would stage a stir and accordingly, on Monday Khan reached Ballari with his supporters. Though security was stepped up around the residence of Reddy, supporters of Khan had come to Ballari from Channapatna, Kalaburgi and various other places.
When they tried to picket the residence, the police detained them stating that Khan was denied permission to take out a procession.
“We had sought a permission, which the police denied. We have not come here to disturb the peace. Reddy had said that he only needs to blow once and we will be dusted off. He had also said that he will take out his sword to teach us a lesson. I want to see what he can do to us. I am here in his own land of Ballari,” said Khan challenging Reddy.
He also said that he respects the police and he will never take the law into his hands. Khan, who was also raged by the way the police behaved with him said that he was not afraid of dying at the hands of the police.
“The other day you shot down two in Mangaluru. Shoot me too. I am not scared,” he said.
