BJP Seeks GUV's Intervention Over Arrest Of Activists After 30 Years In Karnataka

Bengaluru: A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by its State president B.Y. Vijayendra met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday in Bengaluru and sought his intervention to seek an explanation from the State Government over the arrest of Hindu activist Srikanth Poojary over reopening of a case after 30 years in Hubballi.

In a memorandum to the Governor, Vijayendra stated that Srikanth Poojary, a Hindu activist has been arrested by the police on charges of rioting in Hubballi city post Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya, 1992. The arrest of Poojary has come after 30 years and there are apprehensions that a clear attempt has been made to harass BJP activists and create an atmosphere of fear among Hindu activists and BJP workers. The BJP leaders staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru city over the arrest of Hindu activist.  

Reacting to the BJP’s charge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked BJP leaders to stop playing petty politics in the name of God and religion and act as a responsible opposition party. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that the arrest of Hindu activists was not a political vendetta but a job of maintaining law and order.

“Let them (BJP) do it. They saffronised the khaki uniform of the State police when they were in power, we won’t do such things,” he retorted to the BJP’s charge against the Congress party.