Activists affiliated to BJP’s Yuva Morcha on 5 September began the ‘Mangalore Chalo’ rally — a bike rally at Freedom Park, Bengaluru — to protest against a series of alleged murders of right-wing activists in recent months.
The BJP cadre conducted the rally despite permission for it being rejected.
Around 1,000 police personnel and 1 RAF company with 120 members have been deployed, reported News 18.
Several protesters, including BJP leaders Shobha Karandlaje, were detained. Presidents of BJP Yuva Morcha from Mulabagilu, KGF and Srinivaspur, were also arrested ahead of the rally.
Despite the Congress government and the police denying permission to hold the rally citing security, the BJP Yuva Morcha went ahead with the same.
It was flagged off in Hubli by MP Prahalad Joshi and former Karnataka BJP president and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar. There was no confirmation of whether former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa would attend the rally .
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that he has no problem with an Opposition rally but the government cannot risk the safety of people, especially in areas considered sensitive like Mangaluru.
The state’s Food and Civil Supplies Minister, UT Khader, told reporters, “There have been several instances of trouble during rallies. In the interest of preserving peace, I request the BJP to call off the motorcycle rally.”
However, Harish Poonja, the district president of BJP’s youth wing, told The Hindu, “We have no history of creating trouble. And, we will not be a cause for disturbing law and order.”
Mangaluru has seen Hindu-Muslim tension between Hindutva groups and Muslim parties.
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