In a controversial remark, the honorary secretary of the Sri Ram Sene has reportedly announced a Rs 3 lakh reward for those who would ‘chop off the tongues’ of the three Kashmiri students who were arrested for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans.
Siddalinga Swami, who is said to run an ashram in Kalaburagi’s Jewar in north Karnataka, can be seen making the remarks in a purported video that has been shared on social media. He reportedly made the comments on 19 February late in the night, at an event in Gadag and said ‘’there is no place for anti-nationals”.
“On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I am telling you that those who have been been nurtured by India and chanted Pakistan Zindabad, who are currently in jail, those tongues, with which they chanted Pakistan Zindabad, whoever can cut off those tongues and bring them, the Sri Ram Sene will give them Rs 1 lakh for each tongue – hence, a total of Rs 3 lakh as a reward. Such anti-nationals do not deserve to be in this state. The Sri Ram Sene is ready to take on those who oppose the country,” he reportedly said in Kannada.
Confirming the speech was held at Municipal College grounds on Thursday, the Gadag superintendent of police said that they had not yet received a complaint. “We know about this video and are looking into it,” he said.
On Monday, 17 February, the three students, who have been booked for sedition over a viral video were being escorted out of court in Hubbali, were set upon by a mob of allegedly right wing activists, who could be seen trying to slap and hit the trio with shoes. Cops had to escort the students to safety.
On Wednesday, Vidhyanagar police registered a suo moto complaint against 10-15 unknown persons for trying to attack the engineering students.
Sources said that Siddalinga Swami is close to chief Pramod Muthalik, who is also known for his controversial comments. Sri Ram Sene members had led the mob attack on patrons at a Mangaluru pub in 2009.
Members of the Sri Ram Sene also have ties to the alleged killers of Gauri Lankesh.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)