Forum seeks action against possibility of communal violence

Mangaluru, Feb 14: The All India People’s Forum has written to Rohini Sindhuri and the deputy commissioner of Hassan district demanding action against possibility of communal violence due to a cow protection rally ‘Sakleshpur Chalo’ proposed by the VHP-Bajrang Dal today in Sakleshpur.

Here is the full text of the letter forwarded by Vidya Dinker, a member of the National Campaign Committee of the Forum to Ms Sindhuri through Sasikanth Senthil S, the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada.

Respected Ma’am,

On 31st January 2019, at the APMC market ground in Sakleshpur, during the weekly town market at 15:30 hrs, eight Bajrang Dal goons vandalised and then set on fire a make-shift canteen run by Khamrunissa aged 70 years and Shamim aged 50 years. The Bajrang Dal goons accused the women of selling beef at their canteen.

The aforesaid women have been running the canteen at the weekly market here for about 8 years where they sell idly and paratha with chicken and mutton curry. Regarding the violent assault, Khamrunissa said, "There was no space given to us to explain that it wasn’t beef but chicken and mutton. They were very aggressive and they smashed all the vessels in the shop. They kicked the stove on which we were boiling the curry and threw the hot curry on my body. They threatened me with fatal consequences if I were to sell meat again in my shop. They burst the stove to set the shop, which we build every week with a tarpaulin sheet, on fire."

The Bajrang Dal unit in Sakleshpur on their Facebook page shared photos of the make-shift canteen being vandalised and claimed responsibility for the attack saying, “Good beginning for Sakleshpur Chalo. Destroyed the illegal selling of beef at the town market,” and “While creating awareness at the APMC market, with the support of public, a shop illegally selling beef was attacked and destroyed.”

The burning down of her shop has left Khamrunissa with a loss of nearly Rs.50,000/-. Further, nobody in the market at that time helped the women as they were intimidated by the violent threatening behaviour of the Bajrang Dal goons.

The police did not register Khamrunissa’s complaint the same evening and an FIR was filed (under the IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 323, 354, 427, 436 and 504) only the next day. The police confirmed that the meat being sold at Khamrunissa’s shop was not beef. However, on 5th February 2019, 5 persons had been arrested by the Sakleshpur Town police station. The Bajrang Dal, on their Facebook page, expressed anger over the arrests and called for a protest on the following day (February 6) at 11:00 in the morning.

There has been in-depth reporting of the said incident in the media, an article was published by NewsCentral24x7, dated 07.02.2019, titled, "In-Depth: Bajrang Dal Men Torched Two Muslim Women's Canteen Accusing them of Selling Beef ". Further, an article was published by Quint, dated 05.02.201, titled, "5 Bajrang Dal Men Held for Attacking K'taka Muslim Women Over Beef". Copies of the aforesaid Articles are marked and attached herein as Annexure "A" and "B", respectively. Furthermore, an article in Kannada was published by Varthabharati.in on 31.01.2019, the day of the incident itself. A copy of the aforesaid article is marked and attached herein as Annexure "C".

We want to bring to your notice, that this was a carefully planned attack on hapless innocents as a curtain-raiser to the Sakleskpur Chalo event to be held on February 14, with cow protection as its central issue. The organisers—Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)—took out a precursor rally on January 31 through the streets of Sakleshpur. It also passed from near the APMC market area.

We also want to bring to your Notice that the run up to the said rally has been filled with hate speech and threatening remarks towards the Muslim community in Sakleshpur. For example, Bajrang Dal unit in Sakleshpur, on their Facebook page, quoted Raghu Sakleshpura (one of leaders under whose leadership Sakleshpur Chalo is being organised), in a speech at Belthangady, stating that, “Our next aim is to hoist the Bhagwa flag on Mosques.”

It is in this context of fear, hatred and incitement to violence that the Bajrang Dal and the VHP are planning to carry out their rally on 14.02.2019. We submit that this is a direct attack on communal harmony not only in Sakleshpur, but the district of Hassan itself, and the state of Karnataka and we demand that you ensure:

1.  That a thorough uncompromising independent investigation is carried out into the aforesaid attacks on the two Muslim women and that all the true culprits be arrested.

2.  That the appropriate sections under the Indian Penal code be charged against the accused, namely; Section 153A titled Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and Section 295A Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

3. That an undertaking be taken from the representatives of the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and other groups involved in the organization of Sakleshpur Chalo, that if tomorrow (14.02.2019) any untoward incident occurs in the town on the said date, or in any area where the rally is to pass; the leaders of the aforesaid groups will be responsible.

4. That Sufficient Police Protection be provided to all religious Minorities in Sakleshpur in case the rally is carried out on 14.02.2019, and the following days.

5. To ensure that communal tensions are not ignited or fanned by the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and other sister organizations. Further, to ensure that hate speech that attack religious minorities or speech that has potential to promote violence does not happen. Further, if such speech is carried out, swift punitive action is taken against the perpetrators.

Warm Regards,

Vidya Dinker

Member, National Campaign Committee

All India People’s Forum