Image courtesy: NDTV
A huge rally taken out by a right-wing organisation in BJP-ruled Karnataka, the Hindu Jagran Vedike, on Sunday, October 2 has stirred a massive controversy. According to media reports, including NDTV, there were 10,000 participants at the rally in Udupi, with many brandishing swords, shouted slogans, even as policemen were seen walking next to them. A minister in the state cabinet and an MLA were among the participants.
Several activists took to social media, demanding action against all rally participants for wielding swords, in this t hy threatening fashion. However, police told NDTV that since no complaint had been made, no action has been initiated against the organisers. The police clearly do not independently work when crimes are committed.
When contacted by NDTV to speak to the channel on the issue, R Ashok, the Minister for Revenue, about the rally, he evaded all questions.
Udupi district has been in the news for the last one year over communal killings, the hijab ban and the ban on Muslim vendors.
Sunday’s controversial Durga Mata Daud rally was organised by right-wing organisation Hindu Jagran Vedike. It was V Sunil Kumar, minister for culture, and MLA Raghupathy Bhat who both took part in the rally.
The Hindu Jagran Vedike is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parliamentary wing of the ruling BJP.
The rally started from the Mahishamardini temple before heading towards Udupi bus stand and ending outside the Udupi Krishna temple. It included a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji with chants of “Jai Shivaji, the one who built a Hindu rashtra” raised by the participants.