Mangaluru, Sept 22: The Dakshina Kannada district police have arrested a hardline Hindutva leader for allegedly attempting to create communal disturbance by delivering a provocative and hate-filled speech during a religious event in Bantwal taluk.
The accused has been identified as Manjunath Udupa alias Pushparanga Bhat (32), the secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi, Kasaragod.
He was a chief guest at the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration at Kadambu in Vittal police station limits in Bantwal on September 9.
Manjunath delivered a speech which is alleged to be extremely communally provocative in nature and demeaning other religions. The organisers are also charged with using loudspeakers without obtaining requisite permission.
A complaint in these connections had been registered against Manjunath, organiser Chethan Padimale, anchor Bhaskar Tailor and people on the dais Suresh Kottary, Varadaraj Kottary, BK Krishnappa Salian and Ramesh Poojary, at the Vittal police station.
Police said all the accused had remained underground since then. Of them, except Manjunatha and Krishnappa, others obtained bail from the ACJ and JMFC court in Bantwal on September 11.
The police launched a search for Manjunath at various places in Kasaragod but to no avail.
Police said Manjunath, the key accused, was working as the supervisor of Kaniyoor Mutt wing in Gadigudde. He is also a confidante of Kasargod BJP leader Raveesh Tantri. Police said Manjunath is already facing charges of kidnap in a separate case
The police took him into custody after he appeared before they post obtaining bail from the ACJ and JMFC court on September 19.
SP B R Ravikanthegowda said he has decided to open a communal goonda sheet against Manjunath.
Comments
Add new comment