Saffron outfits call for ‘hartal’ on Feb 25 in Dakshina Kannada

Mangaluru: Feb 20: Leaders of saffron outfits in Dakshina Kannada have jointly given a call for a hartal in the coastal district on February 25, opposing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s participation in ‘Karavali Sauharda’ rally or ‘coastal Karnataka harmony rally’ in Mangaluru organised by the CPI (M)’s district unit.

Briefing media persons here on Monday Vishwa Hindu Parishat Karnataka Prantha working president M B Puranik said that it is an irony that such a public programme on communal harmony is attended by a person who is from a political party whose hands are stained with blood of hundreds of innocent people in Kerala. Pinarayi Vijayan’s participation in the rally will disrupt peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada, which is considered as a sensitive district, he said.

“We are not against the CPM’s communal harmony rally. But we oppose the participation of Kerala chief minister in the rally,” he clarified.

He appealed to the shopkeepers, business establishments, private bus owners, schools and colleges voluntarily observe the hartal. Noting that Vijayan, a member of the CPM’s politburo, which is known for its violence-driven activities throughout India, especially in Kerala, Puranik said it is only farcical that the CPM is projecting itself as a champion of democracy whereas the facts and statistics on the violence it has undertaken prove otherwise. The constituency of Dharmadom, from where Vijayan was elected in 2016 election, has witnessed a large number of political murders. It is not right to invite a person whose constituency Dharmadom witnessed 13 political murders from 1969 till date, he criticized.

Puranik said even after being elected as the chief minister of Kerala, the situation there has not improved and the residents are in constant fear of being victims to the bloodshed unleased by the Communists. It is highly condemnable that Vijayan who has been ineffective as a chief minister in restoring law and order in his state is being invited as a guest to a rally to be held to promote unity and harmony. The intention of the programme will be only to provoke and mislead the people of Dakshina Kannada, he charged.

“We have already submitted a representation to deputy commissioner, commissioner of police and superintendent of police in this regard. Apart from Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagarana Vedike, other organisations have extended their support to the hartal,” he said.

VHP district president Jagadish Shenava said, “Vijayan's visit to Dakshina Kannada will lead to communal unrest. There are only Hindu-Muslim issues right now, but Vijayan's visit will also lead to Communist-RSS, Communist-BJP or even Communist-Hindutva group issues. There will be no bandh, but a peaceful hartal.”