Mangaluru: The recent arrest of Hindu activist Shrikanth Poojary by the Hubballi-Dharwad police has triggered a political skirmish between the Congress and BJP in Karnataka.
Srikanth Poojary (60), a former Karsevak and Hindu activist, was apprehended on Friday in connection with a 31-year-old rioting case that allegedly occurred during communal tension in 1992.
Hubballi-Dharwad City Police Commissioner Renuka K Sukumar, told Deccan Chronicle that the arrest was a usual procedure and part of their efforts to clear long-pending cases.
The case involved eleven accused individuals, with split charge sheets filed by the police. Among the accused, five have passed away, four have been acquitted, and one is bedridden, preventing police arrest. Poojary, the only remaining accused, has now been taken into custody.
While the BJP accuses the Congress of targeting Hindu activists, the Congress contends that the arrest follows standard procedures and is not aimed at any individual.
The Karnataka BJP took to social media X (formerly twitter), stating, “Congress in Karnataka shamefully targets Hindu activists, arresting elderly Karsevak Shri Shrikanth Poojari in a 31-year-old fake case. As Hindus celebrate the Ram Mandir, Congress's cowardly move reflects their refusal to accept the reality of the Ram Mandir. This witch hunt against Hindus is highly condemnable. Congress Party’s cowardly attempts won't deter Hindus, it only fuels their determination to protect Dharma!”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in Koppal, clarified that there is no hate politics behind Poojary's arrest. He emphasized that innocent people have not been targeted and defended the police action, stating, “Police officials have been directed to dispose of old cases, and the police have taken action on it. If there is a court order, action will be taken accordingly.”
