Massive protests against arrest of DKS; Vokkaligas warn Modi-Shah duo of retaliation

Benglauru, Sept 11: Thousands of protesters belonging to Congress and Vokkaliga organisations have intensified their protests and demonstrations against the arrest of Karnataka politics stalwart DK Shivakumar.

Several parts of Bengaluru city came to a standstill after protesters gathered at the National College Ground and marched to Freedom Park. Bengaluru Traffic Police has issued an advisory and made traffic diversions for commuters.

Congress workers and protesters from various Vokkaliga organisations reached Bengaluru city on Wednesday morning to join the demonstrations with placards and posters in hand.

Vokkaligara Sangha members warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP supremo and Home Minister Amit Shah of severe retaliation politically if they continue to target the Vokkaliga community and its leaders.

Congress MLAs Krishna Byregowda, Sowmya Reddy, Dinesh Gundu Rao, former MLAs Chaluvaraya Swamy, Narendra Swamy, Balakrishna, former MP VS Ugrappa and several other leaders address protestors at National College Ground.

The protesters have come from different districts of Karnataka. The large group of protesters was to march to the Raj Bhawan to protest against Shivakumar's arrest in a money laundering case on September 3.

Moments after his arrest, Shivakumar wrote on Twitter, "I wholeheartedly thank leaders, supporters, well-wishers and friends who have organised a massive protest in my support tomorrow in Bengaluru. I humbly request that the protest be peaceful & doesn't cause any inconvenience to citizens. Please ensure public property isn't harmed."

However, protests have rocked Karnataka ever since the arrest with violence and clashes breaking in parts of the state. A day after the arrest, Congress called for a statewide bandh in Karnataka that affected schools, colleges and normal life in many parts of the state.

Shops and business establishments by and large were closed in response to the bandh called by the local unit of the Congress and supported by its alliance partner in the previous coalition government - the JD(S).