Image Source: Udayavani
Tensions flared in Karnataka’s Bhatkal town after police registered a case against Hindu activists who allegedly stopped a Muslim youth who was travelling in a car with a Hindu woman. The police action triggered protests by Hindu organisations and BJP workers, who staged a demonstration outside the Bhatkal Town Police Station on Wednesday night demanding that the case against the activists be withdrawn, as reported in Udayavani.
The controversy began after a Muslim youth was allegedly found travelling with a Hindu woman in a car on the Sagar Road stretch from Bhatkal town. Hindu activists reportedly intercepted the vehicle and questioned the youth, following which police registered a case against some of the activists involved.
Condemning the police action, members of Hindu organisations and BJP workers gathered outside the police station and held a protest, accusing the police of targeting those who had intervened while failing to take action against the youth.
Former Chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force, Govind Naik, who addressed the gathering, expressed strong anger over the police response.
He alleged that instead of acting against the youth involved in the incident, police had chosen to register cases against those who had gone to protect the Hindu woman.
Govind Naik questioned under whose pressure cases were being filed against Hindu organisation workers. He claimed that while similar incidents had allegedly occurred in Bhatkal in the past, there had been insufficient evidence. However, he alleged that in the present case, the Muslim youth was caught “red-handed” while taking the Hindu woman in a car.
He further alleged that police officers had arrived at the spot and were aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident, yet no case had initially been registered against the youth. He questioned why no action had been taken despite the presence of senior officers, including the Rural Police Inspector and the PSI, at the scene.
Naik demanded the immediate arrest of the youth and called for an investigation into whether he had been involved in similar incidents in the past. He also warned that if the case against Hindu activists was not withdrawn, a larger agitation could be launched in Bhatkal.
Several political and community leaders joined the protest and criticised the police action.
Former Minister Shivanand Naik, along with leaders including Eshwar N. Naik, Subraya Devadiga and Krishna Naik Asarkeri, reportedly demanded that the cases filed against Hindu activists be withdrawn.
Protesters warned that if the police failed to withdraw the cases, they would consider calling for a Bhatkal bandh.
According to reports, Deputy Superintendent of Police Girish informed protesters that the matter would be reviewed and addressed by Thursday morning.
District Additional Superintendent of Police Krishnamurthy also reportedly arrived in Bhatkal and gathered information regarding the incident.
Leaders of BJP and Hindu organisations reiterated that if the cases against Hindu activists were not withdrawn within the stipulated time, they would intensify their agitation and call for a town-wide shutdown.
The protest was attended by several activists and leaders, including Hindu Jagarana Vedike functionary Jayanth Naik, Ramakrishna Naik, BJP leader Srikanth Naik, Srinivas Naik and others.
Meanwhile, the Muslim youth involved in the incident filed a complaint with the police alleging that three Hindu activists had stopped and assaulted him.
Subsequently, the Hindu woman also lodged a complaint against the Muslim youth on Wednesday evening.
However, details of the allegations contained in her complaint had not been made public at the time of reporting.
In view of the sensitive nature of the incident and the rising tensions, police have reportedly strengthened security arrangements in Bhatkal to prevent any law-and-order issues.
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