Two BJP Supporters Stabbed Following Slogan Shouting Incident Near Mosque in Mangaluru
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2024-06-10 16:50 GMT
Mangaluru: Two BJP supporters who were allegedly shouting slogans near a mosque during the celebration after Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at Boliyar near Mangaluru were stabbed on Sunday night.
According to police, the stabbing occurred in front of a bar in Boliyar within the Konaje Police Station limits. Three BJP supporters Harish, Nandakumar, and Krishna Kumar were passing by Boliyar Mosque and allegedly shouted slogans on Sunday night. They were followed by a group of 20-25 Muslim youths on motorcycles.
The three stopped in front of a bar around 2 KM ahead of the Mosque. The youths also followed them to the bar, where an altercation broke out. During the clash, the three BJP supporters were attacked, with two sustaining stab wounds. While Harish (41) and Nandakumar (24) from Innoli village were stabbed, Krishna Kumar was beaten up. One of the injured is out of danger, while the other is undergoing surgery at KS Hegde Hospital, police reported.
Following the incident, police arrested Mohammed Shakir (28), Abdul Razak (40), Aboobakar Siddique (35), Sawad (18), and Monu alias Hafeez (24), according to a press statement by the city police commissioner.
Meanwhile, a counter case has been filed. Based on a complaint by P.K. Abdulla, president of Boliyar Jumma Masjid, a case was registered against youths for shouting provocative slogans and abusing individuals outside the mosque around 8.50 PM on Sunday. Those named in this case include Suresh, Vinay, Subhash, Ranjit, and Dhananjaya, charged under IPC Sections 143, 147, 148, 153A, 504, 506, and 149.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly condemned the stabbing incident.
"Hindu activists Harish and Nandakumar, who were shouting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' during victory celebrations after the Prime Minister's swearing-in ceremony, were attacked and two were stabbed at Boliyar near Mudipu last night. The VHP and Bajrang Dal strongly condemn this act," stated district president H.K. Purushothama and district coordinator Naveen Moodushedde.
They demanded immediate legal action against the attackers, attributing such incidents to the perceived anti-Hindu stance of the Congress government and its appeasement of Muslims.
Conversely, former Mayor of Mangaluru and DK district Muslim Okkuta president K. Ashraf criticized the slogan-shouting outside religious places.
He objected to BJP supporters allegedly provoking by shouting slogans in front of mosques and churches during their victory celebrations. Ashraf emphasized that such actions are provocative and unacceptable and urged BJP leaders to address and control their supporters' behavior.