Homestay attack: Opposition wants Ashoka out, Hindutva outfits banned

Bangalore, July 31: Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, on Monday, strongly condemned the incident of assault on girls and boys by Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists in Mangalore and promised toughest action against those involved.

Replying to the discussion on the incident in the Legislative Assembly, Shettar said the government had been taking steps to ensure punishment to the perpetrators. As many as 12 persons, who were allegedly involved in the incident, have been taken into custody so far. A special team has been set up to nab those absconding, he added.

The police have been given a free hand to investigate and take action. The perpetrators have been booked under various sections of IPC, including unlawful assembly, forceful restraint, assault, dacoity and threat to life. They will have to serve up to 10 years in prison on conviction, he said.

“The government will take all measures to curb such incidents. It is a most uncivilised act. The government will ensure that people, especially women, live in peace and without any fear in the State,” he said.

The Opposition parties had, however, demanded that the government should ban Hindu organisations like Hindu Jagaran Vedike, Bajrang Dal and Srirama Sene, besides booking cases against those involved under the Goonda Act. Besides, they wanted Home Minister R Ashoka to resign owning moral responsibility. On the chief minister not responding to these demands, the Congress and JD(S) members staged a walkout.

Higher Education Minister C?T?Ravi, in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district, said no accused would get protection. However, he said there was no truth in the allegation of the Congress that the police did not take action when the incident took place. “The incident happened between 6.30 and 6.45 pm. The police went to the spot at 7.10 pm, when 300 people had gathered in front of the homestay. Also, the Congress government did not resign over the Guwahati incident or the Ruchika case,” he said. Earlier, members of the ruling and opposition parties indulged in a war of words when Congress MLA Vasanth Bangera held the BJP responsible for all such incidents. Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, who has been taking a dig at his own party in the House, sprung a surprise by raising a serious objection to Bangera's statement, leading to utter chaos. The Speaker, later, expunged Bangera's comment. However, members cutting across party affiliations were united in condemning the Mangalore incident.

None of the BJP members took objection when the Opposition directly attacked Hindu organisations.