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Communally provocative speech; Hindutva leader held

Bantwal:  Vittal police have arrested a leader of Hindu Aikya Vedike in Kasargod district here, on the allegation of delivering communally provocative address and demeaning other religions, on Friday, September 21st.

The arrested man has been identified as Manjunath Udupa (32), district secretary of Kasargod Hindu Aikya Vedike, who happens to be an associate of BJP leader from Kasargod, Raveesh Tantry.

Since the day the incident happened, Udupa was on the run and was taken into custody after he appeared in the police station, already securing bail from the court on September 19. The police informed that they have made preparations to open a communal goonda sheet in his name.

Incident synopsis

On September 9 on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival, Manjunath Udupa alias Pushparanga Bhat had taken part as chief guest in a programme organized in private land at Kadambu village within the limits of Bantwal police station. It is said that while delivering keynote address on the occasion, he had derided the people of another faith and delivered communally inflammatory speech. Loudspeaker was used for the programme without obtaining prior permission, informed the police.

Police complaint

Kadambu Jama Masjid management had filed complaint about these things in Vittal police station, duly naming Manjunath Udupa, organizer of the programme, Chetan Padimale, host, Bhaskar Tailor as well as Suresh Kottary, Varadaraja Kottary, B K Krishnappa Salian and Ramesh Poojary, who were present on the dais. A case had been registered on the basis of this complaint.

From the date of the registration of the complaint, all the accused were on the run. However, on September 11th, Manjunath Udupa and B K Krishnappa Salian came to the police station after obtaining bail through the court, explained the police.

The Operation

The police had conducted an operation within the limits of Adoor police station in places like Mulleria, Gadigudde, Kuntary etc to find out the whereabouts of main accused, Manjunath Udupa. He works as supervisor of Gadigudde branch of Kaniyoor Mutt and is an associate of BJP leader, Raveesh Tantry, said the police.

Prime accused already has a case against him

Manjunath Udupa already has a case of kidnapping is pending against him in Adoor police station. He is from C N Halli, Shettikere in Tumakuru district. Currently, he is the district secretary of Kasargod Hindu Aikya Vedike, informed district superintendent of police, Ravikanthe Gowda.