Puttur – The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) held a protest in front of the Puttur Municipal Council, demanding swift justice in an alleged sexual assault case involving a BJP leader’s son.
Addressing the gathering, Manish Ali, SDPI Rural District Vice President and Bantwal Municipal Vice President, accused the Sangh Parivar of manipulating religious sentiment for political gain. He said slogans like “We are all Hindus” are confined to political stages, while the real issues of justice are neglected.
He alleged that instead of upholding justice, certain leaders are stoking division among communities. “These leaders have failed to support a grieving mother. Their silence exposes their true priorities,” he remarked.
Ali criticised Hindu leader Prabhakar Bhatt, questioning why he spoke in Mandya but stayed silent on this local issue. He also targeted BJP representatives including MLA Harish Poonja, Shobha Karandlaje, Chakravarthy Sulibele, and former CM Sadananda Gowda, for not standing with the victim’s family.
The victim’s mother, Namita, emotionally shared that she had approached various communities, but none offered help beyond urging her to “take the child away.” Initially, the boy’s father had promised marriage, but later disappeared with his son.
Zeenat Bantwal, SDPI district member, criticised selective justice based on caste and political affiliation. “Had the accused been someone named Abdullah or Joseph, the reaction would’ve been fiery,” she said, lamenting the silence of usual voices.
SDPI leaders Ashrap Bavu, Tajuddin Salmara, Yahya Kurnadka, and others were present in solidarity.