Sangh Parivar justifies Kalladka Bhat's venomous speech; Others demand legal action

Mangalore, January 24: The provocative speech by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat at a recent Hindu Samajotsava, which was trailed with communal violence in Uppinangady town, 55-kms from here, has evoked strong response in the district headquarters.

While Congress, JD(S) and Muslim Central Committee have continued to demand the banishment of hardline Hinduva leader from the region, RSS, Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Hitharakshana Vedika have condemned the act of Uppinangady police, who have registered cases against their influential leader and his close accomplices under IPC section 153A and 295A for promoting enmities between communities and causing national disintegration.

Justifying the speech of Mr Bhat, local leader of VHP M B Puranik at a press meet here on Tuesday, demanded the police department to withdraw the cases against Mr Bhat immediately.

Stating that there was not a single absurd word in the speech of RSS leader, Mr Puranik said that if anyone was hurt by former's speech they could have arranged separate meetings to voice their feelings instead of obstructing 'Samajotsava'.

He also held the police department responsible for the post-Samajotsava violence in Uppinangady, who according to him, failed to maintain law and order, despite their strong deployment in the town.

Mr Puranik alleged that few Muslim dominated organizations like KFD and PFI had played a major role to spoil the Hindu Samajotsava.

In a separate press meet Hindu Hitharakshana Vedike leader Harish Achar condemned the police department for registering case against Bhat. “We are all with our beloved leader Mr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. We are ready to reiterate each and every dialogue of his speech. Let the police take action against us too” he challenged.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Secretary Ivan D'Souza has sought the intervention of Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj in the issue in order to avoid the further attempts by communal forces to instigate violence in the society. “Governor must intervene and order a probe into the issue”, he said.

Addressing a press conference at district Congress office, here, Mr D'Souza held ruling Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for the present situation in Uppinagady. “The BJP has deliberately created such a situation in a peaceful town of the district with the help of Prabhakar Bhat, keeping the forthcoming elections in mind”, he opined.

Muslim Central Committee president K S Mohammed Masood, in yet another press conference, demanded the stringent legal action against Mr Bhat for instigating violence in the society.