'Mangaluru Chalo' motorbike rally will roll, clash ahead
Party workers and supporters were scheduled to set off on a bike rally on September 5 and 6 from different parts of the state.
Mangaluru: Setting the stage for what could turn into a confrontation that the BJP needs to rally the hitherto divided Hindu vote in the coastal districts back to its fold, leaders of the party announced that they would go ahead with 'Mangaluru Chalo' motorbike rally, despite Mangaluru police chief's categorical no in response to requests for permission for the protest rally.
Leaders of BJP Yuva Morcha propose to embark on 'Mangaluru Chalo' bike rally on September 7 to condemn the attack on saffron leaders and step up their demand for a ban on PFI. Party workers and supporters were scheduled to set off on a bike rally on September 5 and 6 from different parts of the state. The rally was to culminate in this coastal city on September 7. BJP leaders also plan to hold a protest meeting on the same day. The leaders went ahead with plans for the rally and a protest meeting but faced opposition from ruling Congress leaders including minister U.T. Khader on grounds that the rally and meeting could trigger law and order problems.
We will continue with our rally and there is no going back. The programme will be held as per schedule. Over 20,000 bikes will participate in the event. If the government has guts let it stop the rally.
—N.K. Kateel, MP
However on Monday, city police commissioner T.R. Suresh declined permission for the rally, saying, “Mangaluru City is a very sensitive area. Considering earlier incidents and to protect peace in the city, and to ensure that there is no public unrest the permission for BJP's Mangaluru Chalo Bike rally has been denied.”
Police ban in city
The city police have denied permission to the bike rally organised by the BJP. A release stated that the organiser, who had requested for permission, did not provide some details sought by the police. Further, as the rally is expected to cause great inconvenience to general public and result in law and order problem, the police have denied permission. Also, the police have clamped prohibitory orders across the city from Monday midnight till Friday midnight, as per the Karnataka Police Act.