On August 11, a large and an angry Muslim mob went on a rampage in Bengaluru after taking offence to a Facebook comment by the nephew of a local Dalit Congress MLA Akhand Srinivasa Murthy.
The rioters attacked and attempted to set on fire the residence of Congress MLA. They also damaged many houses and torched vehicles in the area. The mob also pelted stones at the DJ Halli police station, vandalized and torched the police vehicles. A few were killed and many police officers were injured along with loss of public and private property.
It is being said that PFI and SDPI are behind this violence ‘as a show of power’ as in 2018, Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy contested on a Congress ticket and SDPI had not fielded any candidate.
In light of this, the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) led by its leader Arjun Sampath is organizing a protest today (August 28) at the Tamil Nadu – Karnataka border near Hosur seeking a nationwide ban on the Islamist organization. In the press release the IMK said that the aim of the PFI and SDPI “is to burn alive all the members of the Pulakesi Nagar MLA’s family” adding that money, jewellery, documents and property were looted.
“Sixty percent of the people living in the area are Tamils and Scheduled community people. Members of the PFI and SDPI have been very well- planned and have been involved in arson attacks on Tamils and scheduled castes.”, the press release said.
It said that the ‘human-chain’ formed to protect the temple was nothing but an eye-wash adding that “it was a planned riot”.
“On the day of Krishna Jayanthi and on the day of Bhumipuja in Ayodhya, for the construction of Ram temple, they portrayed Krishna and Rama in a very ugly way on Facebook. The Dalit MLA’s relative Naveen’s Facebook page has been misused to post a picture of the Prophet Mohammad”, and said that it was used as an attempt to brainwash Muslims to riot in the streets.
It also said that Kerala’s Communist Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too had accused the PFI and SDPI of creating a Pakistan in Kerala.
In 2019, Thirubuvanam G. Ramalingam, a Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) functionary was killed by the members of these organizations as he had opposed their attempts to convert the villagers to Islam.
The IMK’s press release highlighted that these organizations are already banned in the state of Chhattisgarh and noted that they should be banned in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka too.
It also said that Vidudhalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, the Dravida Kazhagam (DK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and called for monitoring these organziations closely.
It also questioned why the private news channels who often conduct debate and talk about freedom of expression did not discuss on the Bangalore riots. “Congress Dalit MLA has been attacked. Why Tamil Nadu and All India Congress Party is silent? Tamils and Scheduled caste people have been attacked, why have the Tamil Nadu opposition parties not opened their mouth?”, it asked in its press release.
“The reason is that they are working hand in hand with Islamic fundamentalist organizations including PFI and SDPI. They are always trying to hold such riots in Tamil Nadu. Their violent speeches have been recorded during the anti- Indian citizenship protest. Therefore, it should be banned in Tamil Nadu”, the IMK said.
It also mentioned that a complaint has also been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban these organizations across India.