Mangaluru: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal organised a ‘BC Road Chalo’ protest on Monday, opposing the invocation of the Goonda Act against Hindu activists and the police notice issued to senior RSS leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
The protest saw activists raise objections to the action taken against several Hindu activists and demand that the state government withdraw the Goonda Act provisions invoked against them.
Rajashekharananda Swamiji seeks withdrawal of Goonda Act
Addressing the protesters, Vajradehi Mutt seer Sri Rajashekharananda Swamiji urged the state government to withdraw the Goonda Act action against Hindu activists.
He alleged that the move was aimed at weakening the Hindu community and urged the government to reconsider the action.
“We urge the Chief Minister and Home Minister to withdraw the Goonda Act being invoked against Hindu volunteers and activists. Do not take decisions that undermine the morale of the Hindu community,” he said.
The seer also questioned the conduct of senior police officers and urged them to consider whether such actions could lead to unrest.
Police notice to Prabhakar Bhat questioned
Rajashekharananda Swamiji criticised the police for issuing a notice to RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat seeking his statement in connection with the murder of Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal.
The seer questioned the need for the notice and raised objections to the action against Bhat.
He also called upon Hindus to remain united and organised and urged activists to carry out their responsibilities with commitment to their organisations.
Objections over cattle transportation cases
Rajashekharananda Swamiji also questioned the invocation of the Goonda Act against Hindu activists who, he claimed, had raised concerns over the alleged illegal transportation of cattle.
He called for clear criteria and proper application of the law while dealing with such cases.
The protesters demanded that the authorities review the cases against the activists and ensure that legal provisions were applied according to established procedures.
Security strengthened in BC Road
Police had strengthened security arrangements in BC Road as a precautionary measure ahead of the protest.
The security deployment was aimed at maintaining law and order during the programme and ensuring the protest proceeded without disruption.
Police provide details of cases
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr Arun K said Hindu activist Bharath Kumdelu, against whom the Goonda Act has been invoked, is facing trial in five separate cases.
According to the SP, two of the cases are registered at Bantwal Town Police Station, while one each is registered at Uppinangady, Bantwal Rural and Puttur Town police stations.
Abhin Rai, against whom the Goonda Act has also been invoked, has two cases registered against him, one each at Bantwal Town and Bantwal Rural police stations, the SP said.
Pradeep has two cases registered at Bantwal Rural Police Station and one at Bantwal Town Police Station.
Shivaprasad and Ranjith, who each have two criminal cases registered at Bantwal Town and Bantwal Rural police stations, have also been booked under the Goonda Act provisions, according to Dr Arun K.
The Goonda Act has also been invoked against Thejaksha, who has three cases registered at Bantwal Rural Police Station and one at Bajpe Police Station, the SP said.
The ‘BC Road Chalo’ protest comes amid continued objections from Hindu organisations over the use of the Goonda Act against activists and the police action in connection with the Bantwal murder case. Authorities, meanwhile, have cited the criminal cases registered against the individuals while explaining the action taken under the law.