BJP and pro-Hindu groups protest against police raid on RSS office

The protest was led by prominent BJP leaders, including former ministers C N Ashwath Narayan Gowda and Narayana Gowda, who joined the agitators in condemning the police’s actions. The protest took place in front of the Pandavapura police station, with demonstrators accusing the police of disrespecting the sanctity of the RSS office by not removing their shoes before entering.

Allegations of Disrespect

According to the protesters, the RSS office holds a special place for its members, and it is regarded with the same reverence as a temple. The agitators were particularly incensed that police officers entered the premises wearing shoes. “The RSS office is like a temple for us. The police have hurt our sentiments by entering with their shoes on. We demand immediate action against the police personnel involved,” they said.

The incident that sparked the protest occurred on Sunday night when a police team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) Murali, raided the RSS office in Bovi Colony, Pandavapura town. The police were reportedly attempting to arrest Hindu Jagaran divisional pracharak Sharan and district pracharak Puneeth, both of whom were present at the office at the time. However, when the police entered the building, RSS volunteers opposed their entry due to the officers’ failure to remove their shoes, leading to a commotion.

BJP Leaders Condemn the Incident

During the protest, BJP leader C N Ashwath Narayan Gowda accused the ruling Congress government of targeting Hindus and displaying favouritism in its actions. “This is yet another instance of how Hindus are being targeted and attacked under the Congress government. People are not even able to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi in peace. We demand justice and action against the police officers responsible for disrespecting our RSS office,” he said.

Ashwath’s remarks echoed sentiments shared by several other BJP leaders and Hindu organisations who see the police raid as part of a larger pattern of perceived discrimination against the Hindu community under the Congress administration. The incident has further inflamed tensions between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka, where political and religious sensitivities have been heightened in recent months.

Police Raid and Response

According to police sources, the raid on the RSS office was part of a broader investigation targeting certain individuals involved with Hindu Jagaran, a right-wing Hindu organisation. Sharan and Puneeth, the two individuals whom the police were attempting to apprehend, are reportedly involved in divisional activities that have attracted the attention of law enforcement. However, the manner in which the raid was conducted, particularly the police’s entry with shoes into the office, has sparked the controversy and protest.

In response to the protests, the local police have stated that they were merely following standard procedure during the raid and did not intend to disrespect the RSS office or its volunteers. DYSP Murali, who led the team, has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident.

Calls for Action

The protesters, however, remain adamant that immediate action must be taken against the police officers involved. They have called for the suspension or transfer of the personnel who entered the RSS office with their boots on, asserting that such actions are an affront to their religious and cultural sentiments.

“We will not stop protesting until action is taken against the officers. Our faith and traditions cannot be trampled on by the state police,” one protester said.

Pro-Hindu groups have also warned of further protests and potential escalations if their demands are not met swiftly. The situation in Pandavapura remains tense, with both sides waiting to see how the state government and police department will respond to the controversy.

Political Implications

This incident comes at a time of heightened political activity in Karnataka, with tensions between the BJP and Congress continuing to escalate. The protest against the police raid is likely to further polarise the political landscape, with the BJP leveraging this incident to accuse the Congress government of failing to respect Hindu sentiments and pandering to minority communities.

The Congress, for its part, has yet to issue a formal response to the incident or the allegations levelled by the BJP leaders. However, political analysts suggest that this event could become a flashpoint in the ongoing political debate surrounding religious freedoms and law enforcement in the state.

Conclusion

The protest by BJP leaders and pro-Hindu organisations over the police raid on the RSS office in Pandavapura has escalated into a larger political issue. With demands for action against the police officers involved and accusations of religious targeting by the Congress government, the situation remains tense. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this incident will lead to further unrest or if a resolution can be reached.

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