Homestay attack: KKSV demands transfer of DC, Police Commissioner

Mangalore, August 1: The district unit of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (KKSV) has demanded a transfer of Deputy Commissioner and city Police Commissioner from Mangalore for their inability to prevent the homestay attack in Mangalore.

Addressing media persons at a press meet in Mangalore on Wednesday, Suresh Bhat Bakrabail, President, Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, DK, said that Deputy Commissioner Dr. N S Chennappa Gowda and city police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh must be transferred from Mangalore. Their inability to prevent the attacks being carried out by saffron forces must be probed, Mr. Bhat said, besides demanding removal of C T Ravi from the post of Dakshina Kannada district in charge minister.

The Vedike also demands action against policemen who did not stop the attacks at the homestay site, he said, besides listing other demands such as dropping of cases against media persons who aired the incident, re-arrest of corporator Mohan Padil for supporting the attack, ban on saffron organisations, among other demands.

Choodamani of Mangalore Citizens' Association and member of KKSV, said that although the media did play a role in highlighting the heinous act committed by saffron activists which helped in their identification and arrest, it should have refrained from airing visuals of girls being assaulted and molested.

Kamala Gowda, another women representative, also said that media could have done away with showing of visuals where girls were being molested and revealing their faces. On certain elements within and outside the government who blamed the girl victims for their dresses, Ms. Gowda said that if they are really concerned about semi-nudity, they must ban the companies which manufacture such dresses besides banning advertisements where semi-nude women are portrayed.

Alwyn Colaco, representing the Karnataka Mission Network and also a member of the KKSV, said that although different faiths have different dress codes, as per the constitution of the country, there is no such dress law that makes the girls guilty of wrongdoing. Although the Home Minister and others in the government have promised of action, Mr. Colaco said that it is futile to expect the state government to take appropriate action against the real culprits of the homestay attack, as they have failed to take action in the various church attacks held in the state in its tenure.

'Mangalore Chalo' jatha

As part of a protest against the homestay attack, the Vedike will hold a protest rally in Mangalore on August 4, in collaboration with various women, student, pro-people and progressive organisations.

A procession would be held from Jyoti circle to Deputy Commissioner's office where a public protest will be held. B T Lalita, former minister, Gowri Lankesh, journalist, progressive thinkers Sabeeha Bhoomigowda, Jyoti Guruprasad, besides others will participate in the protest.