Hindu activist Shrikanth Poojary released from prison

Hubballi: Hindu activist Shrikanth Poojary was released from prison on Saturday, a day after the First Additional District and Session Court granted him bail.

Poojary had been arrested last Friday in connection with a 1992 rioting case. While police and the government assert that the arrest aimed to address long-pending cases, leaders from the BJP argue that it is an attempt to intimidate Hindu activists. The detention of Poojary took on political significance, leading to a statewide protest by the BJP.

Outside the prison, BJP and Hindu activists, led by Hubballi-Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai, welcomed Shrikanth Poojary upon his release.

Supporters chanted 'Jai Sri Ram' and presented him with garlands and also a picture of Sri Rama.

Shrikanth expressed his gratitude, stating, “I thank everybody, including media persons, Hindu activists, and leaders, for standing by me and supporting me. I had fought for Sri Rama. My life is dedicated to Sri Rama,” and expressed his eagerness to visit Ayodhya.

Narrating the circumstances of his arrest, Shrikanth Poojary, an auto-rickshaw driver, said, “The police came to me on Friday and said they wanted some groceries in the market. When I went, they took me to the police station. They neither served any summons nor warrant but arrested me,” he told reporters.

MLA Mahesh Tenginakai declared Shrikanth's release a victory for truth and criticized the Home Minister and Chief Minister for their statements against Shrikanth.